Compare towns

Smithfield vs Ware vs Glocester

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Smithfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.2%).
Ware has the most affordable homes ($290k median).
Glocester has the oldest population (median age 50.8).

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.

MeasureSmithfieldWareGlocester
People
Population
22,233Highest
10,048Lowest
10,221
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.2%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.3%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
41.8±2.6Lowest
7% above U.S.
43.1±4.7
11% above U.S.
50.8±4.3Highest
31% above U.S.
Glocester and Ware are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.9%±2.4Lowest
U.S.: 22%
19.1%±3.5
U.S.: 22%
19.8%±4.3Highest
U.S.: 22%
Glocester and Ware are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.1%±2.1
U.S.: 17.2%
20.6%±3.4Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
22.2%±3.4Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Glocester and Smithfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
40%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
24%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
35.7%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
16.7%±0.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.4%±2.2
U.S.: 6.4%
4.3%±1.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$102,077±$8k
26% above U.S.
$67,475±$15kLowest
16% below U.S.
$113,508±$7kHighest
41% above U.S.
Glocester and Smithfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$446,400±$12kHighest
34% above U.S.
$289,700±$28kLowest
13% below U.S.
$396,500±$28k
19% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,016±$241Lowest
28% below U.S.
$1,043±$109
26% below U.S.
$1,417±$627Highest
about the U.S. average
Glocester and Ware are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,207
67% above U.S.
$4,237Lowest
36% above U.S.
$5,248Highest
68% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
57.1%±17.7Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
64.3%±16.2
U.S.: 51.1%
64.5%±24Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Glocester and Ware are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6.2%
U.S.: 12.5%
11.8%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
4.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
81.6%
U.S.: 65.2%
72.3%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
91%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976Highest
4 yrs older than U.S.
1960Lowest
20 yrs older than U.S.
1975
5 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 minLowest
7% below U.S.
28 min
8% above U.S.
34 minHighest
30% above U.S.
Work from home
14%±3.1Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
12.3%±3.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
13.1%±4.7
U.S.: 15.1%
Smithfield and Glocester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #8 of 38 in RI #267 of 282 in MA #12 of 38 in RI
School district Smithfield Ware Foster-Glocester · Glocester
High school in town Smithfield High School Ware Junior/Senior High School Ponaganset High School
Students per teacherat that high school
11.8
11.1Lowest
12.8Highest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

U.S. 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.