Compare towns
Reading vs Benson vs Peacham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Reading has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.2%).
Benson has the most affordable homes ($242k median).
Peacham has the most kids (20.7% under 18).
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 | Benson | Peacham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 699Lowest |
784 |
887Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-2.3% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.1±7.6 19% above VT |
51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
50.1±5.7Lowest 16% above VT |
| Benson and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 18.5%±4.2 VT: 17.9% |
16.5%±5.2Lowest VT: 17.9% |
20.7%±6Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Peacham and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 28.2%±3.3 VT: 21.4% |
26.9%±4.2Lowest VT: 21.4% |
33.6%±2.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Peacham and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 46% VT: 43.8% |
32.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
48.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.1%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
7%±5.8Highest VT: 7% |
5.4%±4 VT: 7% |
| Benson and Peacham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $85,000±$19k 5% above VT |
$78,625±$8kLowest 3% below VT |
$90,000±$28kHighest 11% above VT |
| Peacham and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $377,200±$72kHighest 19% above VT |
$242,000±$26kLowest 24% below VT |
$302,000±$64k 5% below VT |
| Reading and Peacham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,100±$331 11% below VT |
$1,113±$170Highest 10% below VT |
$1,028±$248Lowest 17% below VT |
| Benson and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,754Highest 14% above VT |
$4,125Lowest 18% below VT |
$5,605 11% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 63.3%±31.7 VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2Lowest VT: 48.4% |
66.7%±17.7Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Peacham and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.4% VT: 10.1% |
5.4%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
10.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.9% VT: 73.2% |
76.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1969Lowest 7 yrs older than VT |
1975 1 yr older than VT |
1976Highest same as VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 41% above VT |
32 min 35% above VT |
31 minLowest 31% above VT |
| Work from home | 22.9%±10.6 VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4Lowest VT: 16.9% |
24.2%±16.9Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Peacham and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Peacham School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.