Compare towns

Sturbridge vs Glocester vs Upton

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Sturbridge has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.5%).
Glocester has the oldest population (median age 50.8).
Upton has the most expensive homes ($577k median).

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.

MeasureSturbridgeGlocesterUpton
People
Population
9,960
10,221Highest
8,189Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6.5%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.3%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+6.1%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
47.2±2.6
21% above U.S.
50.8±4.3Highest
31% above U.S.
46.4±4.8Lowest
19% above U.S.
Glocester and Sturbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.7%±3
U.S.: 22%
19.8%±4.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
23.2%±4.5Highest
U.S.: 22%
Upton and Sturbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.8%±3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
22.2%±3.4Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
20.7%±4.9
U.S.: 17.2%
Glocester and Upton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
49.3%
U.S.: 35.7%
35.7%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
53.5%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.6%±1.5Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.3%±1.9
U.S.: 6.4%
2.4%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Sturbridge and Glocester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$136,759±$15k
69% above U.S.
$113,508±$7kLowest
41% above U.S.
$155,508±$33kHighest
93% above U.S.
Upton and Sturbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$425,800±$18k
28% above U.S.
$396,500±$28kLowest
19% above U.S.
$576,700±$41kHighest
73% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,193±$398
16% below U.S.
$1,417±$627Highest
about the U.S. average
$948±$599Lowest
33% below U.S.
Glocester and Sturbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,520
109% above U.S.
$5,248Lowest
68% above U.S.
$8,376Highest
169% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
42%±17.7Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
64.5%±24Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
52.8%±31
U.S.: 51.1%
Glocester and Upton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.7%
U.S.: 12.5%
4.8%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.2%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
86.3%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
91%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
86.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982Highest
2 yrs newer than U.S.
1975Lowest
5 yrs older than U.S.
1981
1 yr newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
38 minHighest
43% above U.S.
34 minLowest
30% above U.S.
35 min
34% above U.S.
Work from home
19.8%±4.8
U.S.: 15.1%
13.1%±4.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
22.8%±5.3Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Upton and Sturbridge 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 #89 of 282 in MA #12 of 38 in RI #46 of 282 in MA
School district Sturbridge · Tantasqua Foster-Glocester · Glocester Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical · Mendon-Upton
High school in town Tantasqua Regional Sr High Ponaganset High School Blackstone Valley
Students per teacherat that high school
7.7Lowest
12.8Highest
11.2
On TownTapestry
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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.