Compare towns
Reading vs Maynard vs Rowley vs Reading
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Maynard has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.3%).
Rowley has the oldest population (median age 50).
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.
| Measure | Reading | Maynard | Rowley | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 25,612Highest |
10,712 |
6,251Lowest |
25,612Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.1%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+6.3%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+5.2% MA: +7.4% |
+3.1%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.7±2.3Lowest 9% above MA |
45.3±4.3 13% above MA |
50±6.3Highest 25% above MA |
43.7±2.3Lowest 9% above MA |
| Rowley and Maynard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 22.8%±2.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
16.9%±4.3Lowest MA: 19.4% |
19.3%±4.5 MA: 19.4% |
22.8%±2.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Age 65+ | 20.7%±2.3 MA: 17.9% |
18.2%±3.3Lowest MA: 17.9% |
21.6%±4.1Highest MA: 17.9% |
20.7%±2.3 MA: 17.9% |
| Rowley and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 66.3%Highest MA: 47.3% |
64.2% MA: 47.3% |
56.8%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
66.3%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.9%±0.7Lowest MA: 7.9% |
3.5%±1.5 MA: 7.9% |
4.8%±2.2Highest MA: 7.9% |
2.9%±0.7Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Rowley and Maynard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $165,912±$13kHighest 60% above MA |
$124,067±$16kLowest 19% above MA |
$132,734±$32k 28% above MA |
$165,912±$13kHighest 60% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $809,000±$22kHighest 44% above MA |
$527,400±$31kLowest 6% below MA |
$667,300±$52k 19% above MA |
$809,000±$22kHighest 44% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,991±$273Highest 13% above MA |
$1,800±$148 about the MA average |
$1,603±$520Lowest 9% below MA |
$1,991±$273Highest 13% above MA |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $9,320Highest 56% above MA |
$8,266Lowest 38% above MA |
$8,309 39% above MA |
$9,320Highest 56% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 27.8%±9.1Lowest MA: 51.8% |
44.9%±9.6 MA: 51.8% |
57.7%±27.3Highest MA: 51.8% |
27.8%±9.1Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Rowley and Maynard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.2% MA: 10% |
8.3%Highest MA: 10% |
3.1%Lowest MA: 10% |
3.2% MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.4%Highest MA: 62.5% |
75%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
81.7% MA: 62.5% |
82.4%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1960Lowest 4 yrs older than MA |
1963 1 yr older than MA |
1975Highest 11 yrs newer than MA |
1960Lowest 4 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 31 min 6% above MA |
32 minHighest 9% above MA |
28 minLowest 3% below MA |
31 min 6% above MA |
| Work from home | 30.2%±4.1Highest MA: 18.6% |
22.9%±7.7 MA: 18.6% |
11.1%±4Lowest MA: 18.6% |
30.2%±4.1Highest MA: 18.6% |
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #50 of 282 in MA | #166 of 282 in MA | #214 of 282 in MA | #50 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Reading | Maynard | Triton | — |
| High school in town | Reading Memorial High | Maynard High | None in town | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.1Highest |
9.7Lowest |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet | None yet |
MA 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.