Compare towns

Thompson vs Swampscott vs Quinebaug

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Swampscott has the most expensive homes ($771k median).
Quinebaug has the most affordable homes ($238k 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.

MeasureThompsonSwampscottQuinebaug
People
Population
9,337
15,277Highest
1,193Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
+9.6%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-1.7%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
54.1±2.2
39% above U.S.
44.5±3.5Lowest
14% above U.S.
56.5±1Highest
45% above U.S.
Quinebaug and Thompson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
11.4%±2.8
U.S.: 22%
20.1%±2.9Highest
U.S.: 22%
0%±3.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Age 65+
24.4%±4.3
U.S.: 17.2%
20.4%±2.6Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
29.1%±9.8Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Quinebaug and Thompson 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%
62.2%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
10.3%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.9%±1.3
U.S.: 6.4%
4.7%±1.7Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
1.3%±2.4Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Swampscott and Thompson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$93,629±$18kLowest
16% above U.S.
$134,386±$23kHighest
66% above U.S.
$105,181±$36k
30% above U.S.
Swampscott and Quinebaug are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$291,900±$24k
12% below U.S.
$771,100±$41kHighest
132% above U.S.
$237,800±$66kLowest
29% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,012±$344Lowest
28% below U.S.
$2,303±$143Highest
63% above U.S.
—
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,822
23% above U.S.
$7,936Highest
154% above U.S.
$3,703Lowest
19% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
54%±18.7
U.S.: 51.1%
57%±14.2Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Swampscott and Thompson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.9%
U.S.: 12.5%
7.1%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
1.3%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
84.3%
U.S.: 65.2%
75.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
97%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1963Highest
17 yrs older than U.S.
1955Lowest
25 yrs older than U.S.
1960
20 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 min
20% above U.S.
34 minHighest
30% above U.S.
26 minLowest
about the U.S. average
Work from home
13.1%±4.4Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
27.2%±4.6Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
23.3%±17.9
U.S.: 15.1%
Swampscott and Quinebaug 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 #130 of 149 in CT #76 of 282 in MA —
School district Thompson School District Swampscott —
High school in town Tourtellotte Memorial High School Swampscott High —
Students per teacherat that high school
7.9Lowest
11.7Highest
—
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.