Compare towns

Springfield vs Groton vs Chicopee

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Springfield has the youngest population (median age 33.7).
Groton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.3%).
Chicopee has the oldest population (median age 41.9).

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.

MeasureSpringfieldGrotonChicopee
People
Population
154,749Highest
11,390Lowest
55,295
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+1.9%
MA: +7.4%
+6.3%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+0.5%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
33.7±0.5Lowest
16% below MA
41.4±2.7
4% above MA
41.9±1.4Highest
5% above MA
Chicopee and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
24.2%±0.9
MA: 19.4%
28.3%±4.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
19.2%±1.7Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Groton and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
13.2%±0.7Lowest
MA: 17.9%
17.3%±2.8
MA: 17.9%
19.5%±1.4Highest
MA: 17.9%
Chicopee and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
20.5%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
70.1%Highest
MA: 47.3%
22.9%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
7.5%±0.5Highest
MA: 7.9%
5.6%±1.9
MA: 7.9%
3.7%±0.6Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Springfield and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$52,656±$2kLowest
49% below MA
$192,958±$27kHighest
86% above MA
$62,615±$6k
40% below MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$245,000±$4kLowest
56% below MA
$743,400±$46kHighest
32% above MA
$274,500±$8k
51% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,144±$55Lowest
35% below MA
$1,458±$335Highest
17% below MA
$1,157±$50
34% below MA
Groton and Chicopee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,695Lowest
38% below MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
$3,847
36% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
57.7%±3.1Highest
MA: 51.8%
43.8%±17Lowest
MA: 51.8%
52%±5.6
MA: 51.8%
Springfield and Chicopee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
25.8%Highest
MA: 10%
3.8%Lowest
MA: 10%
17.3%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
49.6%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
88.8%Highest
MA: 62.5%
55.7%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1952Lowest
12 yrs older than MA
1988Highest
24 yrs newer than MA
1958
6 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 minLowest
31% below MA
32 minHighest
11% above MA
21 min
27% below MA
Work from home
8.4%±0.9
MA: 18.6%
27.5%±5.8Highest
MA: 18.6%
8%±1.8Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #276 of 282 in MA #39 of 282 in MA #247 of 282 in MA
School district Springfield Groton-Dunstable Chicopee
High school in town Springfield Central High Groton Dunstable Regional Chicopee Comprehensive High School
Students per teacherat that high school
12.2
13.7Highest
11.2Lowest
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.