Compare towns

Washington vs Maynard vs Becket

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Washington has the shortest commute (25 min average).
Maynard has the most people working from home (22.9%).
Becket has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.5%).

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.

MeasureWashingtonMaynardBecket
People
Population
526Lowest
10,712Highest
1,962
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-8.2%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+6.3%
MA: +7.4%
+8.5%Highest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
56.5±7.7Highest
41% above MA
45.3±4.3Lowest
13% above MA
49.6±4.7
24% above MA
Washington and Becket are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
13.3%±5.9Lowest
MA: 19.4%
16.9%±4.3Highest
MA: 19.4%
15.3%±3.6
MA: 19.4%
Maynard and Becket are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
35.4%±1.5Highest
MA: 17.9%
18.2%±3.3Lowest
MA: 17.9%
21.3%±3.4
MA: 17.9%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
32.1%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
64.2%Highest
MA: 47.3%
45.3%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.3%±1.8Lowest
MA: 7.9%
3.5%±1.5Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.4%±2
MA: 7.9%
Maynard and Becket are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$95,278±$12k
8% below MA
$124,067±$16kHighest
19% above MA
$80,417±$29kLowest
23% below MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$370,700±$32k
34% below MA
$527,400±$31kHighest
6% below MA
$361,000±$82kLowest
36% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$1,800±$148Lowest
about the MA average
$2,107±$1kHighest
20% above MA
Becket and Maynard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,381
27% below MA
$8,266Highest
38% above MA
$3,047Lowest
49% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
0%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
44.9%±9.6
MA: 51.8%
100%±100Highest
MA: 51.8%
Becket and Maynard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
2.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
8.3%
MA: 10%
12.1%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
92.5%
MA: 62.5%
75%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
98.2%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1974
10 yrs newer than MA
1963Lowest
1 yr older than MA
1977Highest
13 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 minLowest
13% below MA
32 min
9% above MA
36 minHighest
23% above MA
Work from home
12.9%±10.3Lowest
MA: 18.6%
22.9%±7.7Highest
MA: 18.6%
13.3%±4.8
MA: 18.6%
Maynard and Becket 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 — #166 of 282 in MA —
School district — Maynard Central Berkshire
High school in town — Maynard High None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
9.7
—
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.