Compare towns

Sutton vs Quinebaug vs Douglas

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Sutton has the most expensive homes ($523k median).
Quinebaug has the most affordable homes ($238k median).
Douglas has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6%).

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.

MeasureSuttonQuinebaugDouglas
People
Population
9,452Highest
1,193Lowest
9,207
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+4.4%
U.S.: +7.4%
-1.7%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+6%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
44.3±2.5
14% above U.S.
56.5±1Highest
45% above U.S.
44±2.6Lowest
13% above U.S.
Kids under 18
19.6%±3.3
U.S.: 22%
0%±3.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
21.2%±3.8Highest
U.S.: 22%
Douglas and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
18.8%±3.2
U.S.: 17.2%
29.1%±9.8Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
15.4%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Quinebaug and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
52.8%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
10.3%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
41.7%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.9%±1.8
U.S.: 6.4%
1.3%±2.4Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.4%±2.3Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Douglas and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$147,125±$25k
82% above U.S.
$105,181±$36kLowest
30% above U.S.
$152,267±$10kHighest
89% above U.S.
Douglas and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$523,100±$47kHighest
57% above U.S.
$237,800±$66kLowest
29% below U.S.
$470,600±$29k
41% above U.S.
Sutton and Douglas are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,190±$401Lowest
16% below U.S.
—
$1,503±$697Highest
6% above U.S.
Douglas and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,763Highest
117% above U.S.
$3,703Lowest
19% above U.S.
$6,338
103% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
47.5%±24.4Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
33.9%±17.4
U.S.: 51.1%
Sutton and Douglas are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.8%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
1.3%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
4.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
89.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
97%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
83.8%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981
1 yr newer than U.S.
1960Lowest
20 yrs older than U.S.
1986Highest
6 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 min
12% above U.S.
26 minLowest
about the U.S. average
34 minHighest
28% above U.S.
Work from home
22.7%±4.1
U.S.: 15.1%
23.3%±17.9Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
20.9%±4.9Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Quinebaug and Sutton 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 #105 of 282 in MA — #177 of 282 in MA
School district Sutton — Douglas
High school in town Sutton High School — Douglas High School
Students per teacherat that high school
12.6Highest
—
7.2Lowest
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.