Compare towns
Stow vs Maynard vs Hamilton vs Groton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Stow has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.9%).
Maynard has the most affordable homes ($527k median).
Hamilton has the oldest housing (typical home built 1958).
Groton has the most kids (28.3% 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 | Stow | Maynard | Hamilton | Groton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 7,165Lowest |
10,712 |
7,600 |
11,390Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +8.9%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+6.3% MA: +7.4% |
-2.6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+6.3% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 44.1±4.4 10% above MA |
45.3±4.3Highest 13% above MA |
43.5±2.1 9% above MA |
41.4±2.7Lowest 4% above MA |
| Maynard and Stow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 22.3%±4.1 MA: 19.4% |
16.9%±4.3Lowest MA: 19.4% |
24%±3.5 MA: 19.4% |
28.3%±4.9Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Groton and Hamilton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 19.1%±3.5 MA: 17.9% |
18.2%±3.3 MA: 17.9% |
21.9%±3.8Highest MA: 17.9% |
17.3%±2.8Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Hamilton and Stow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 75.1%Highest MA: 47.3% |
64.2%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
68.8% MA: 47.3% |
70.1% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.7%±1.4 MA: 7.9% |
3.5%±1.5Lowest MA: 7.9% |
6.7%±1.6Highest MA: 7.9% |
5.6%±1.9 MA: 7.9% |
| Hamilton and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $185,809±$22k 79% above MA |
$124,067±$16kLowest 19% above MA |
$129,833±$14k 25% above MA |
$192,958±$27kHighest 86% above MA |
| Groton and Stow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $729,600±$39k 30% above MA |
$527,400±$31kLowest 6% below MA |
$720,000±$36k 28% above MA |
$743,400±$46kHighest 32% above MA |
| Groton and Stow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,782±$126 about the MA average |
$1,800±$148Highest about the MA average |
$1,794±$394 about the MA average |
$1,458±$335Lowest 17% below MA |
| Maynard and Hamilton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$8,266Lowest 38% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 59.7%±44.2 MA: 51.8% |
44.9%±9.6 MA: 51.8% |
65.8%±23.6Highest MA: 51.8% |
43.8%±17Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Hamilton and Stow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.2% MA: 10% |
8.3%Highest MA: 10% |
7.8% MA: 10% |
3.8%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 85.4% MA: 62.5% |
75%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
84.7% MA: 62.5% |
88.8%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1974 10 yrs newer than MA |
1963 1 yr older than MA |
1958Lowest 6 yrs older than MA |
1988Highest 24 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 36 minHighest 23% above MA |
32 minLowest 9% above MA |
32 min 11% above MA |
32 min 11% above MA |
| Work from home | 36.6%±6.2Highest MA: 18.6% |
22.9%±7.7Lowest MA: 18.6% |
26.3%±5.1 MA: 18.6% |
27.5%±5.8 MA: 18.6% |
| Stow and Groton 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 | #44 of 282 in MA | #166 of 282 in MA | #36 of 282 in MA | #39 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Nashoba | Maynard | Hamilton-Wenham | Groton-Dunstable |
| High school in town | None in town | Maynard High | Hamilton-Wenham Regional High | Groton Dunstable Regional |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.7Lowest |
11.8 |
13.7Highest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | 6 photos → | 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.