Compare towns

Sturbridge vs Templeton vs Sutton

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Sturbridge has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.5%).
Templeton has the most affordable homes ($359k median).
Sutton has the most expensive homes ($523k 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.

MeasureSturbridgeTempletonSutton
People
Population
9,960Highest
8,252Lowest
9,452
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6.5%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+1.7%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+4.4%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
47.2±2.6Highest
18% above MA
40.3±5.1Lowest
about the MA average
44.3±2.5
11% above MA
Sturbridge and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.7%±3
MA: 19.4%
22.9%±5.9Highest
MA: 19.4%
19.6%±3.3Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Templeton and Sturbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.8%±3Highest
MA: 17.9%
14.7%±2.8Lowest
MA: 17.9%
18.8%±3.2
MA: 17.9%
Sturbridge and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
49.3%
MA: 47.3%
26.9%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
52.8%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.6%±1.5Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.4%±1.6Lowest
MA: 7.9%
3.9%±1.8
MA: 7.9%
Sturbridge and Sutton 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
32% above MA
$101,154±$15kLowest
about the MA average
$147,125±$25kHighest
42% above MA
Sutton 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
24% below MA
$358,500±$12kLowest
36% below MA
$523,100±$47kHighest
7% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,193±$398
32% below MA
$1,207±$353Highest
31% below MA
$1,190±$401Lowest
32% below MA
Templeton and Sturbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,520
9% above MA
$4,554Lowest
24% below MA
$6,763Highest
13% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
42%±17.7Lowest
MA: 51.8%
44.7%±26.1
MA: 51.8%
47.5%±24.4Highest
MA: 51.8%
Sutton and Templeton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
10.6%Highest
MA: 10%
5.8%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
86.3%
MA: 62.5%
85.3%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
89.7%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982Highest
18 yrs newer than MA
1972Lowest
8 yrs newer than MA
1981
17 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
38 minHighest
30% above MA
28 minLowest
5% below MA
30 min
about the MA average
Work from home
19.8%±4.8
MA: 18.6%
16.9%±5.1Lowest
MA: 18.6%
22.7%±4.1Highest
MA: 18.6%
Sutton 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 #244 of 282 in MA #105 of 282 in MA
School district Sturbridge · Tantasqua Narragansett Sutton
High school in town Tantasqua Regional Sr High Narragansett Regional High Sutton High School
Students per teacherat that high school
7.7Lowest
12.2
12.6Highest
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.