Compare towns

Westhampton vs Reading vs Otis

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Westhampton has the shortest commute (29 min average).
Reading has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.1%).
Otis has the most affordable homes ($397k 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.

MeasureWesthamptonReadingOtis
People
Population
1,552Lowest
25,612Highest
1,624
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+0.9%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+3.1%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+1.4%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
49.3±4.9
23% above MA
43.7±2.3Lowest
9% above MA
51±3.2Highest
28% above MA
Otis and Westhampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18%±4.1
MA: 19.4%
22.8%±2.2Highest
MA: 19.4%
15.1%±4.8Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Reading and Westhampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
25.4%±2.8
MA: 17.9%
20.7%±2.3Lowest
MA: 17.9%
28%±3.1Highest
MA: 17.9%
Otis and Westhampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
47%
MA: 47.3%
66.3%Highest
MA: 47.3%
39.2%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.7%±2.4Highest
MA: 7.9%
2.9%±0.7Lowest
MA: 7.9%
2.9%±2.1Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Westhampton and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$100,000±$7kLowest
4% below MA
$165,912±$13kHighest
60% above MA
$108,898±$6k
5% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$413,200±$24k
26% below MA
$809,000±$22kHighest
44% above MA
$396,700±$40kLowest
29% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,304±$229Lowest
26% below MA
$1,991±$273Highest
13% above MA
$1,318±$924
25% below MA
Reading and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,476
8% above MA
$9,320Highest
56% above MA
$2,408Lowest
60% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
33.3%±53.5
MA: 51.8%
27.8%±9.1Lowest
MA: 51.8%
63.3%±100Highest
MA: 51.8%
Otis and Westhampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6.5%Highest
MA: 10%
3.2%
MA: 10%
1.2%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
91.4%Highest
MA: 62.5%
82.4%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
89.7%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1969
5 yrs newer than MA
1960Lowest
4 yrs older than MA
1974Highest
10 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 minLowest
about the MA average
31 min
6% above MA
34 minHighest
15% above MA
Work from home
14.1%±4Lowest
MA: 18.6%
30.2%±4.1Highest
MA: 18.6%
22.3%±7.7
MA: 18.6%
Reading and Otis 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 — #50 of 282 in MA —
School district Hampshire · Westhampton Reading Farmington River Reg
High school in town Hampshire Regional High Reading Memorial High None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
10.0Lowest
12.1Highest
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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.