Compare towns
Spencer vs Springfield vs Fairhaven vs Oakham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Spencer has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.6%).
Springfield has the most affordable homes ($245k median).
Fairhaven has the most expensive homes ($447k median).
Oakham has the most homeowners (91.6%).
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.
| Measure | Spencer | Springfield | Fairhaven | Oakham |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 12,008 |
154,749Highest |
15,903 |
1,639Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.6%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+1.9% MA: +7.4% |
+0.3% MA: +7.4% |
-2.7%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 48.9±6.8 22% above MA |
33.7±0.5Lowest 16% below MA |
48.5±3.4 21% above MA |
49±2.3Highest 23% above MA |
| Oakham and Spencer are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 16.4%±3.9Lowest MA: 19.4% |
24.2%±0.9Highest MA: 19.4% |
16.9%±2.7 MA: 19.4% |
18.2%±3.1 MA: 19.4% |
| Age 65+ | 26%±4.4Highest MA: 17.9% |
13.2%±0.7Lowest MA: 17.9% |
24.9%±2.9 MA: 17.9% |
21.4%±2.3 MA: 17.9% |
| Spencer and Fairhaven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 29.1% MA: 47.3% |
20.5%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
32.5% MA: 47.3% |
40.3%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.2%±2.4 MA: 7.9% |
7.5%±0.5Highest MA: 7.9% |
3.3%±1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
3.8%±2.1 MA: 7.9% |
| Springfield and Spencer are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $80,533±$11k 23% below MA |
$52,656±$2kLowest 49% below MA |
$95,965±$19k 8% below MA |
$102,000±$20kHighest about the MA average |
| Oakham and Fairhaven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $382,000±$22k 32% below MA |
$245,000±$4kLowest 56% below MA |
$446,700±$19kHighest 21% below MA |
$420,100±$20k 25% below MA |
| Fairhaven and Oakham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,078±$161Lowest 39% below MA |
$1,144±$55 35% below MA |
$1,118±$79 37% below MA |
$1,174±$81Highest 33% below MA |
| Oakham and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,387Highest 27% below MA |
$3,695 38% below MA |
$3,566Lowest 40% below MA |
$4,103 32% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 50.6%±10.3 MA: 51.8% |
57.7%±3.1Highest MA: 51.8% |
51.1%±14 MA: 51.8% |
27.8%±69.1Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Springfield and Fairhaven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 11% MA: 10% |
25.8%Highest MA: 10% |
8.3% MA: 10% |
4.4%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 63% MA: 62.5% |
49.6%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
74.4% MA: 62.5% |
91.6%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1968 4 yrs newer than MA |
1952Lowest 12 yrs older than MA |
1952Lowest 12 yrs older than MA |
1979Highest 15 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 34 min 18% above MA |
20 minLowest 31% below MA |
29 min about the MA average |
39 minHighest 32% above MA |
| Work from home | 15%±7.3Highest MA: 18.6% |
8.4%±0.9Lowest MA: 18.6% |
11.4%±3.3 MA: 18.6% |
9.6%±3.8 MA: 18.6% |
| Spencer and Fairhaven 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 | #261 of 282 in MA | #276 of 282 in MA | #126 of 282 in MA | — |
| School district | Spencer-E Brookfield | Springfield | Fairhaven | Quabbin |
| High school in town | David Prouty High | Springfield Central High | Fairhaven High | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.9Lowest |
12.2Highest |
11.4 |
— |
| 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.