Compare towns
Topsfield vs Hamilton vs Princeton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Topsfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.4%).
Hamilton has the most kids (24% under 18).
Princeton has the most affordable homes ($521k 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.
| Measure | Topsfield | Hamilton | Princeton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,624Lowest |
7,600Highest |
3,529 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.4%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-2.6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+2.4% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.4±10.9Lowest 6% above MA |
43.5±2.1 9% above MA |
46.1±7Highest 15% above MA |
| Princeton and Hamilton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 20.6%±5.3Lowest MA: 19.4% |
24%±3.5Highest MA: 19.4% |
22.2%±4.6 MA: 19.4% |
| Hamilton and Princeton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 21.5%±5.2 MA: 17.9% |
21.9%±3.8Highest MA: 17.9% |
20.9%±3.6Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Hamilton and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 66.8% MA: 47.3% |
68.8%Highest MA: 47.3% |
59.4%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.6%±3 MA: 7.9% |
6.7%±1.6Highest MA: 7.9% |
1.9%±1.2Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Hamilton and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $191,146±$21kHighest 84% above MA |
$129,833±$14kLowest 25% above MA |
$158,750±$46k 53% above MA |
| Topsfield and Princeton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $836,600±$60kHighest 49% above MA |
$720,000±$36k 28% above MA |
$520,500±$48kLowest 7% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $994±$841 44% below MA |
$1,794±$394Highest about the MA average |
$897±$852Lowest 49% below MA |
| Hamilton and Topsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$6,633Lowest 11% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 42.4%±47.4Lowest MA: 51.8% |
65.8%±23.6 MA: 51.8% |
69.8%±46.7Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Princeton and Hamilton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4.9% MA: 10% |
7.8%Highest MA: 10% |
4.2%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
84.7% MA: 62.5% |
94.3%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1962 2 yrs older than MA |
1958Lowest 6 yrs older than MA |
1975Highest 11 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 24 minLowest 18% below MA |
32 min 11% above MA |
37 minHighest 25% above MA |
| Work from home | 19.5%±7.1Lowest MA: 18.6% |
26.3%±5.1 MA: 18.6% |
29.5%±6.8Highest MA: 18.6% |
| Princeton and Hamilton 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 | #172 of 282 in MA | #36 of 282 in MA | #59 of 282 in MA |
| School district | — | Hamilton-Wenham | Wachusett |
| High school in town | — | Hamilton-Wenham Regional High | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 11.8 |
— |
| 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.