Compare towns

Springfield vs Maynard 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 the most kids (24.2% under 18).
Maynard has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.3%).
Ludlow has the most homeowners (77.5%).

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.

MeasureSpringfieldMaynardLudlow
People
Population
154,749Highest
10,712Lowest
20,904
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
45.3±4.3Highest
13% above MA
44.3±1.8
11% above MA
Maynard and Ludlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
24.2%±0.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
16.9%±4.3
MA: 19.4%
16.4%±2.4Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Age 65+
13.2%±0.7Lowest
MA: 17.9%
18.2%±3.3
MA: 17.9%
21.8%±2.5Highest
MA: 17.9%
Ludlow and Maynard 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%
64.2%Highest
MA: 47.3%
27%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
7.5%±0.5Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.5%±1.5Lowest
MA: 7.9%
5.2%±1.7
MA: 7.9%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$52,656±$2kLowest
49% below MA
$124,067±$16kHighest
19% above MA
$84,838±$7k
18% below MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$245,000±$4kLowest
56% below MA
$527,400±$31kHighest
6% below MA
$335,300±$10k
40% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,144±$55Lowest
35% below MA
$1,800±$148Highest
about the MA average
$1,223±$82
31% below MA
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,695Lowest
38% below MA
$8,266Highest
38% above MA
$4,918
18% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
57.7%±3.1Highest
MA: 51.8%
44.9%±9.6Lowest
MA: 51.8%
50.7%±9.5
MA: 51.8%
Springfield and Ludlow 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%
8.3%
MA: 10%
6.8%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
49.6%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
75%
MA: 62.5%
77.5%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1952Lowest
12 yrs older than MA
1963
1 yr older than MA
1964Highest
same as MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 min
31% below MA
32 minHighest
9% above MA
20 minLowest
31% below MA
Work from home
8.4%±0.9Lowest
MA: 18.6%
22.9%±7.7Highest
MA: 18.6%
14%±3.4
MA: 18.6%
Maynard 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 #166 of 282 in MA #154 of 282 in MA
School district Springfield — Ludlow
High school in town Springfield Central High — Ludlow Senior High
Students per teacherat that high school
12.2Highest
—
11.1Lowest
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.