Compare towns

Putney vs Springfield vs Arlington

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Putney has the shortest commute (18 min average).
Springfield has the most affordable homes ($192k median).
Arlington has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6%).

What matters to you?

Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.

MeasurePutneySpringfieldArlington
People
Population
2,622
9,084Highest
2,598Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.1%
VT: +2.8%
-3.3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+6%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
37.2±5.2Lowest
14% below VT
43.2±3.7Highest
about the VT average
37.6±4
13% below VT
Springfield and Arlington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.4%±4.1Lowest
VT: 17.9%
18.6%±3.4
VT: 17.9%
20.6%±3.9Highest
VT: 17.9%
Arlington and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
18.1%±3.8Lowest
VT: 21.4%
23.6%±3.7Highest
VT: 21.4%
20.7%±3.2
VT: 21.4%
Springfield and Arlington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
48.6%
VT: 43.8%
23.3%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
55.9%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
20.4%±3.4Highest
VT: 7%
2.3%±1.4Lowest
VT: 7%
3.3%±1.7
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$79,706±$18k
about the VT average
$66,571±$13kLowest
18% below VT
$102,308±$11kHighest
26% above VT
Arlington and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$300,000±$44k
5% below VT
$192,400±$20kLowest
39% below VT
$318,500±$59kHighest
about the VT average
Arlington and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$508±$482Lowest
59% below VT
$963±$100
22% below VT
$1,191±$172Highest
3% below VT
Arlington and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,313Highest
5% above VT
$4,807
5% below VT
$4,549Lowest
10% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
54.2%±19.4
VT: 48.4%
49.6%±15.6Lowest
VT: 48.4%
77.1%±9.5Highest
VT: 48.4%
Arlington and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
16%Highest
VT: 10.1%
14.8%
VT: 10.1%
7.5%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
72.8%
VT: 73.2%
67.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
84%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1977Highest
1 yr newer than VT
1958Lowest
18 yrs older than VT
1966
10 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
18 minLowest
24% below VT
27 minHighest
16% above VT
20 min
13% below VT
Work from home
16.9%±6.5
VT: 16.9%
15.1%±5.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
35.9%±10.8Highest
VT: 16.9%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #32 of 70 in VT #64 of 70 in VT #50 of 70 in VT
School district Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 River Valley Technical Center · Springfield School District Arlington School District
High school in town None in town Springfield High School Arlington Memorial
Students per teacherat that high school —
14.3Highest
10.6Lowest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 6 photos → None yet None yet

VT average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.