Compare towns

Springfield vs Hull vs Ludlow

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Springfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.9%).
Hull has the most expensive homes ($646k median).
Ludlow has the shortest commute (20 min average).

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.

MeasureSpringfieldHullLudlow
People
Population
154,749Highest
10,138Lowest
20,904
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+1.9%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-2.1%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
-0.5%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
33.7±0.5Lowest
16% below MA
56.1±1.8Highest
40% above MA
44.3±1.8
11% above MA
Kids under 18
24.2%±0.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
11.4%±2.2Lowest
MA: 19.4%
16.4%±2.4
MA: 19.4%
Age 65+
13.2%±0.7Lowest
MA: 17.9%
26.1%±3.1Highest
MA: 17.9%
21.8%±2.5
MA: 17.9%
Hull and Ludlow 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%
50.4%Highest
MA: 47.3%
27%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
7.5%±0.5Highest
MA: 7.9%
4.2%±2.2Lowest
MA: 7.9%
5.2%±1.7
MA: 7.9%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$52,656±$2kLowest
49% below MA
$115,485±$14kHighest
11% above MA
$84,838±$7k
18% below MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$245,000±$4kLowest
56% below MA
$646,000±$38kHighest
15% above MA
$335,300±$10k
40% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,144±$55Lowest
35% below MA
$2,081±$187Highest
18% above MA
$1,223±$82
31% below MA
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,695Lowest
38% below MA
$6,089Highest
about the MA average
$4,918
18% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
57.7%±3.1Highest
MA: 51.8%
52.8%±14
MA: 51.8%
50.7%±9.5Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Springfield and Hull 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%
5.8%Lowest
MA: 10%
6.8%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
49.6%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
79.6%Highest
MA: 62.5%
77.5%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1952
12 yrs older than MA
1946Lowest
18 yrs older than MA
1964Highest
same as MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 min
31% below MA
33 minHighest
14% above MA
20 minLowest
31% below MA
Work from home
8.4%±0.9Lowest
MA: 18.6%
19.7%±4.3Highest
MA: 18.6%
14%±3.4
MA: 18.6%
Hull and Ludlow 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 #276 of 282 in MA #66 of 282 in MA #154 of 282 in MA
School district Springfield Hull Ludlow
High school in town Springfield Central High Hull High Ludlow Senior High
Students per teacherat that high school
12.2Highest
8.8Lowest
11.1
On TownTapestry
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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.