Compare towns

Sturbridge vs Upton vs Westhampton vs Sturbridge

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%).
Upton has the most expensive homes ($577k median).
Westhampton has the shortest commute (29 min average).
Sturbridge has the most renters (16.7% rent).

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.

MeasureSturbridgeUptonWesthamptonSturbridge
People
Population
9,960Highest
8,189
1,552Lowest
2,443
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6.5%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+6.1%
MA: +7.4%
+0.9%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+5.9%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
47.2±2.6
18% above MA
46.4±4.8Lowest
16% above MA
49.3±4.9Highest
23% above MA
47.8±6.8
20% above MA
Westhampton 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
MA: 19.4%
23.2%±4.5Highest
MA: 19.4%
18%±4.1Lowest
MA: 19.4%
18.7%±4.9
MA: 19.4%
Upton and Sturbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.8%±3
MA: 17.9%
20.7%±4.9
MA: 17.9%
25.4%±2.8Highest
MA: 17.9%
19.1%±7.8Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Westhampton 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%
MA: 47.3%
53.5%
MA: 47.3%
47%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
55.8%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.6%±1.5
MA: 7.9%
2.4%±1.3Lowest
MA: 7.9%
3.7%±2.4
MA: 7.9%
5.9%±3.8Highest
MA: 7.9%
Sturbridge and Sturbridge 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
$155,508±$33kHighest
50% above MA
$100,000±$7kLowest
4% below MA
$131,568±$34k
27% above MA
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
24% below MA
$576,700±$41kHighest
about the MA average
$413,200±$24kLowest
26% below MA
$418,400±$29k
26% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,193±$398
32% below MA
$948±$599Lowest
46% below MA
$1,304±$229
26% below MA
$2,009±$225Highest
14% above MA
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,520
9% above MA
$8,376Highest
40% above MA
$6,476
8% above MA
$6,410Lowest
7% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
42%±17.7
MA: 51.8%
52.8%±31Highest
MA: 51.8%
33.3%±53.5
MA: 51.8%
29.1%±19.9Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Upton and Sturbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.7%
MA: 10%
3.2%Lowest
MA: 10%
6.5%Highest
MA: 10%
3.2%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
86.3%
MA: 62.5%
86.7%
MA: 62.5%
91.4%Highest
MA: 62.5%
83.3%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982Highest
18 yrs newer than MA
1981
17 yrs newer than MA
1969
5 yrs newer than MA
1958Lowest
6 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
38 minHighest
30% above MA
35 min
22% above MA
29 minLowest
about the MA average
32 min
9% above MA
Work from home
19.8%±4.8
MA: 18.6%
22.8%±5.3Highest
MA: 18.6%
14.1%±4
MA: 18.6%
14%±9.4Lowest
MA: 18.6%
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 #46 of 282 in MA — #89 of 282 in MA
School district Sturbridge · Tantasqua Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical · Mendon-Upton Hampshire · Westhampton —
High school in town Tantasqua Regional Sr High Blackstone Valley Hampshire Regional High —
Students per teacherat that high school
7.7Lowest
11.2Highest
10.0
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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.