Compare towns
Stockbridge vs Rochester vs Benson
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Stockbridge has grown the fastest since 2010 (-2.4%).
Rochester has the most people working from home (40.8%).
Benson has the most kids (16.5% under 18).
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 | Stockbridge | Rochester | Benson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 791 |
1,389Highest |
784Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.4%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.5% VT: +2.8% |
-7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 55.3±5.3Highest 28% above VT |
53.3±7.6 24% above VT |
51.9±9.4Lowest 20% above VT |
| Stockbridge and Rochester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 9.9%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
10.4%±3.3 VT: 17.9% |
16.5%±5.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Benson and Rochester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 27.9%±3.2 VT: 21.4% |
31.5%±3.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
26.9%±4.2Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Rochester and Stockbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 35% VT: 43.8% |
49%Highest VT: 43.8% |
32.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.1%±1.2 VT: 7% |
0.4%±0.6Lowest VT: 7% |
7%±5.8Highest VT: 7% |
| Benson and Stockbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $77,109±$12k 5% below VT |
$72,676±$8kLowest 11% below VT |
$78,625±$8kHighest 3% below VT |
| Benson and Stockbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $283,500±$26kHighest 10% below VT |
$253,600±$81k 20% below VT |
$242,000±$26kLowest 24% below VT |
| Stockbridge and Rochester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,140±$126Highest 8% below VT |
$929±$158Lowest 25% below VT |
$1,113±$170 10% below VT |
| Stockbridge and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,488Highest 11% below VT |
$3,977Lowest 21% below VT |
$4,125 18% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.3%±22Lowest VT: 48.4% |
62.4%±27.8Highest VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2 VT: 48.4% |
| Rochester and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 3.9%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
18.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.4% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 85% VT: 73.2% |
86.1%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977Highest 1 yr newer than VT |
1967Lowest 9 yrs older than VT |
1975 1 yr older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 27 minLowest 17% above VT |
27 minLowest 17% above VT |
32 minHighest 35% above VT |
| Work from home | 28.6%±12.2 VT: 16.9% |
40.8%±27.6Highest VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Rochester and Stockbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Rochester Stockbridge Unified School District #81 | Rochester Stockbridge Unified School District #81 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | None yet | None yet |
VT 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.