Compare towns

West Brookfield vs Warren vs Ware

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

West Brookfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.6%).
Warren has the youngest population (median age 38.7).
Ware has the most affordable homes ($253k 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.

MeasureWest BrookfieldWarrenWare
People
Population
3,859Lowest
5,009
6,369Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.6%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-3.1%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+1.6%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
58.5±3.2Highest
46% above MA
38.7±7.3Lowest
3% below MA
39.8±6
about the MA average
Kids under 18
13%±3.8Lowest
MA: 19.4%
20.8%±8
MA: 19.4%
23.3%±4.4Highest
MA: 19.4%
Ware and Warren are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
35.9%±6.1Highest
MA: 17.9%
14.6%±4.5Lowest
MA: 17.9%
17.4%±3.9
MA: 17.9%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
34%Highest
MA: 47.3%
23.2%
MA: 47.3%
15.4%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.2%±1Lowest
MA: 7.9%
2.9%±2.1
MA: 7.9%
3.7%±1.9Highest
MA: 7.9%
Ware and Warren are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$95,613±$12kHighest
8% below MA
$66,082±$6k
36% below MA
$45,158±$11kLowest
57% below MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$354,000±$21kHighest
37% below MA
$333,700±$35k
41% below MA
$253,400±$31kLowest
55% below MA
West Brookfield and Warren are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,236±$271Highest
30% below MA
$890±$174Lowest
49% below MA
$1,039±$104
41% below MA
West Brookfield and Ware are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,260
29% below MA
$4,530Highest
24% below MA
$3,408Lowest
43% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.3%±18.8
MA: 51.8%
29.7%±18.4Lowest
MA: 51.8%
64.5%±17.3Highest
MA: 51.8%
Ware and West Brookfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.5%Lowest
MA: 10%
9%
MA: 10%
14.1%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.8%Highest
MA: 62.5%
64.5%
MA: 62.5%
57.4%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1967
3 yrs newer than MA
1975Highest
11 yrs newer than MA
1938Lowest
26 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
42 minHighest
44% above MA
33 min
13% above MA
27 minLowest
9% below MA
Work from home
18.9%±15Highest
MA: 18.6%
8.5%±5.4Lowest
MA: 18.6%
16.6%±5
MA: 18.6%
West Brookfield and Ware 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 #162 of 282 in MA #165 of 282 in MA #267 of 282 in MA
School district Quaboag Regional Quaboag Regional —
High school in town None in town Quaboag Regional High —
Students per teacherat that high school —
10.0
—
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.