Compare towns

Thompson vs Lynnfield vs Putnam

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Thompson has the oldest population (median age 54.1).
Lynnfield has the most expensive homes ($918k median).
Putnam has the most renters (40.2% 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.

MeasureThompsonLynnfieldPutnam
People
Population
9,337
13,064Highest
9,292Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
+12.1%
U.S.: +7.4%
—
Median age
54.1±2.2Highest
39% above U.S.
41.4±2.1Lowest
6% above U.S.
43.7±3
12% above U.S.
Kids under 18
11.4%±2.8Lowest
U.S.: 22%
28%±4.2Highest
U.S.: 22%
18.6%±3.6
U.S.: 22%
Age 65+
24.4%±4.3Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
17.9%±2.4Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
18.5%±3.1
U.S.: 17.2%
Thompson and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
21.9%
U.S.: 35.7%
62.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
20%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.9%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.2%±1.1
U.S.: 6.4%
3.9%±1.4Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Putnam and Lynnfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$93,629±$18k
16% above U.S.
$175,265±$23kHighest
117% above U.S.
$70,561±$7kLowest
13% below U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$291,900±$24k
12% below U.S.
$917,600±$31kHighest
176% above U.S.
$269,200±$11kLowest
19% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,012±$344Lowest
28% below U.S.
$2,676±$219Highest
89% above U.S.
$1,149±$44
19% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,822Lowest
23% above U.S.
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
$3,860
24% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
54%±18.7
U.S.: 51.1%
69.2%±21.9Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
37.7%±11.6Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Lynnfield and Thompson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.9%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
6%
U.S.: 12.5%
11.5%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
84.3%
U.S.: 65.2%
87.3%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
59.8%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1963
17 yrs older than U.S.
1964Highest
16 yrs older than U.S.
1961Lowest
19 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 min
20% above U.S.
32 minHighest
22% above U.S.
25 minLowest
6% below U.S.
Work from home
13.1%±4.4
U.S.: 15.1%
27.4%±4.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
9%±2.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #130 of 149 in CT #27 of 282 in MA #128 of 149 in CT
School district Thompson School District Lynnfield Putnam School District
High school in town Tourtellotte Memorial High School Lynnfield High Putnam High School
Students per teacherat that high school
7.9Lowest
12.0Highest
9.5
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

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.