Compare towns

Sturbridge vs Warwick vs Upton

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%).
Warwick has the most affordable homes ($349k median).
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.

MeasureSturbridgeWarwickUpton
People
Population
9,960Highest
776Lowest
8,189
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6.5%Highest
MA: +7.4%
0%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+6.1%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
47.2±2.6
18% above MA
51.4±7.3Highest
29% above MA
46.4±4.8Lowest
16% above MA
Warwick 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%
9.9%±3.4Lowest
MA: 19.4%
23.2%±4.5Highest
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%±3Lowest
MA: 17.9%
23.2%±3.3Highest
MA: 17.9%
20.7%±4.9
MA: 17.9%
Warwick 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%
40.5%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
53.5%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.6%±1.5Highest
MA: 7.9%
2.4%±2.1Lowest
MA: 7.9%
2.4%±1.3Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Sturbridge and Warwick 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
$93,333±$22kLowest
10% below MA
$155,508±$33kHighest
50% 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
$349,400±$34kLowest
38% below MA
$576,700±$41kHighest
about the MA average
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,193±$398
32% below MA
$1,367±$163Highest
22% below MA
$948±$599Lowest
46% below MA
Warwick 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
$4,380Lowest
27% below MA
$8,376Highest
40% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
42%±17.7
MA: 51.8%
33.3%±57.3Lowest
MA: 51.8%
52.8%±31Highest
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%
5%Highest
MA: 10%
3.2%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
86.3%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
89%Highest
MA: 62.5%
86.7%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982Highest
18 yrs newer than MA
1974Lowest
10 yrs newer than MA
1981
17 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
38 min
30% above MA
40 minHighest
37% above MA
35 minLowest
22% above MA
Work from home
19.8%±4.8Lowest
MA: 18.6%
22.4%±6.9
MA: 18.6%
22.8%±5.3Highest
MA: 18.6%
Upton and Warwick 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
School district Sturbridge · Tantasqua Warwick Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical · Mendon-Upton
High school in town Tantasqua Regional Sr High None in town Blackstone Valley
Students per teacherat that high school
7.7Lowest
—
11.2Highest
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.