Compare towns

Walpole vs Everett vs Fall River vs Milton

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Everett has grown the fastest since 2010 (+17.8%).
Fall River has the most affordable homes ($396k median).
Milton has the most expensive homes ($933k 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.

MeasureWalpoleEverettFall RiverMilton
People
Population
26,388Lowest
50,045
94,082Highest
28,587
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+9.6%
MA: +7.4%
+17.8%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+5.8%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+6%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
40.9±1.2
about the MA average
35.2±1.5Lowest
12% below MA
39.3±1.2
about the MA average
41.1±1.8Highest
about the MA average
Milton and Walpole are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
25.1%±2.4
MA: 19.4%
21.8%±2.1
MA: 19.4%
19.9%±1.2Lowest
MA: 19.4%
25.3%±2.2Highest
MA: 19.4%
Milton and Walpole are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
16.9%±1.7Highest
MA: 17.9%
11.3%±1.1Lowest
MA: 17.9%
16.1%±0.9
MA: 17.9%
16.1%±1.8
MA: 17.9%
Walpole and Fall River are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
67.4%
MA: 47.3%
24.9%
MA: 47.3%
16.4%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
71.9%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.1%±1.1
MA: 7.9%
6.3%±0.9
MA: 7.9%
4.1%±0.6Lowest
MA: 7.9%
9.7%±1.1Highest
MA: 7.9%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$171,500±$16k
65% above MA
$85,218±$7k
18% below MA
$56,673±$3kLowest
45% below MA
$188,529±$15kHighest
81% above MA
Milton and Walpole are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$687,100±$20k
22% above MA
$610,000±$23k
9% above MA
$395,500±$11kLowest
30% below MA
$933,200±$31kHighest
66% above MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,205±$222Highest
25% above MA
$2,076±$69
18% above MA
$1,155±$27Lowest
34% below MA
$1,474±$281
16% below MA
Walpole and Everett are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$8,523
42% above MA
$4,880
19% below MA
$3,953Lowest
34% below MA
$9,677Highest
61% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
37.8%±9.1Lowest
MA: 51.8%
56.4%±5.8Highest
MA: 51.8%
52.5%±3.3
MA: 51.8%
45.7%±20.9
MA: 51.8%
Everett and Fall River are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.6%Lowest
MA: 10%
14.7%
MA: 10%
19.6%Highest
MA: 10%
4.7%
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
83.5%
MA: 62.5%
37.2%
MA: 62.5%
35.3%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
85.2%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1977Highest
13 yrs newer than MA
1938Lowest
26 yrs older than MA
1945
19 yrs older than MA
1945
19 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 min
15% above MA
35 minHighest
20% above MA
26 minLowest
11% below MA
31 min
8% above MA
Work from home
28.2%±4.3
MA: 18.6%
10.5%±2
MA: 18.6%
7.1%±1.2Lowest
MA: 18.6%
29.7%±2.9Highest
MA: 18.6%
Milton and Walpole 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 #107 of 282 in MA #264 of 282 in MA #262 of 282 in MA #55 of 282 in MA
School district Norfolk County Agricultural · Walpole Everett Fall River · Greater Fall River Regional Vocational Technical Milton
High school in town Walpole High Everett High B M C Durfee High Milton High
Students per teacherat that high school
11.3Lowest
12.1
11.3Lowest
12.4Highest
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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.