Compare towns

Springfield vs Dalton vs Marlow

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Springfield has the most people working from home (16.7%).
Dalton has the shortest commute (22 min average).
Marlow has grown the fastest since 2010 (+0.9%).

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.

MeasureSpringfieldDaltonMarlow
People
Population
1,122
6,256Highest
855Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-4%
U.S.: +7.4%
-6.3%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+0.9%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
51.4±8.8
32% above U.S.
49.7±5.8Lowest
28% above U.S.
52.8±11.7Highest
36% above U.S.
Marlow and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.1%±8Lowest
U.S.: 22%
20.6%±4.7Highest
U.S.: 22%
20.5%±6.3
U.S.: 22%
Dalton and Marlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.8%±1.6Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
27.9%±5.7
U.S.: 17.2%
30.5%±5.7Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Marlow and Dalton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
36.4%
U.S.: 35.7%
44.3%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
33.4%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0%±1.5Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.3%±1.6
U.S.: 6.4%
3.3%±2.2Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Marlow and Dalton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$100,893±$19k
25% above U.S.
$79,438±$8kLowest
about the U.S. average
$110,455±$12kHighest
37% above U.S.
Marlow and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$384,100±$50kHighest
15% above U.S.
$295,700±$26kLowest
11% below U.S.
$325,400±$49k
about the U.S. average
Springfield and Marlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,096±$217
22% below U.S.
$872±$70Lowest
38% below U.S.
$1,154±$160Highest
18% below U.S.
Marlow and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,946Highest
91% above U.S.
$4,276Lowest
37% above U.S.
$5,826
87% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
25.9%±64.8
U.S.: 51.1%
41.2%±19Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
18.2%±95.1Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Dalton and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
7.4%
U.S.: 12.5%
8.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
70.7%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
92.6%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1985Highest
5 yrs newer than U.S.
1957Lowest
23 yrs older than U.S.
1981
1 yr newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 min
30% above U.S.
22 minLowest
16% below U.S.
35 minHighest
33% above U.S.
Work from home
16.7%±11.6Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
12.5%±7.1
U.S.: 15.1%
0.8%±1.1Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Springfield and Dalton 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 — #192 of 282 in MA —
School district — Central Berkshire Marlow School District
High school in town — Wahconah Regional High None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
10.9
—
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.