Compare towns

Reading vs Sherborn vs Reading

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Sherborn has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.8%).

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.

MeasureReadingSherbornReading
People
Population
25,612Highest
4,427Lowest
25,612Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.1%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+6.8%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+3.1%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
43.7±2.3Highest
9% above MA
42.8±2.3Lowest
7% above MA
43.7±2.3Highest
9% above MA
Kids under 18
22.8%±2.2Lowest
MA: 19.4%
29.2%±4.8Highest
MA: 19.4%
22.8%±2.2Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Sherborn and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
20.7%±2.3Highest
MA: 17.9%
16.3%±3.3Lowest
MA: 17.9%
20.7%±2.3Highest
MA: 17.9%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
66.3%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
82.3%Highest
MA: 47.3%
66.3%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.9%±0.7Lowest
MA: 7.9%
3.1%±1.6Highest
MA: 7.9%
2.9%±0.7Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Sherborn and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$165,912±$13kLowest
60% above MA
$250,001Highest
140% above MA
$165,912±$13kLowest
60% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$809,000±$22kLowest
44% above MA
$1,026,800±$72kHighest
83% above MA
$809,000±$22kLowest
44% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,991±$273Lowest
13% above MA
$2,338±$316Highest
33% above MA
$1,991±$273Lowest
13% above MA
Sherborn and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$9,320Lowest
56% above MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
$9,320Lowest
56% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
27.8%±9.1Lowest
MA: 51.8%
48%±26.3Highest
MA: 51.8%
27.8%±9.1Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Sherborn and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.2%Highest
MA: 10%
3.1%Lowest
MA: 10%
3.2%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
82.4%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
89.2%Highest
MA: 62.5%
82.4%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1960Lowest
4 yrs older than MA
1968Highest
4 yrs newer than MA
1960Lowest
4 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minLowest
6% above MA
35 minHighest
21% above MA
31 minLowest
6% above MA
Work from home
30.2%±4.1Lowest
MA: 18.6%
49.1%±7.7Highest
MA: 18.6%
30.2%±4.1Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #50 of 282 in MA #53 of 282 in MA #50 of 282 in MA
School district Reading Sherborn —
High school in town Reading Memorial High None in town —
Students per teacherat that high school
12.1
— —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.