Compare towns

Worcester vs Erving vs Millbury

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Worcester has grown the fastest since 2010 (+14.1%).
Erving has the most affordable homes ($272k median).
Millbury has the highest household income ($119k).

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.

MeasureWorcesterErvingMillbury
People
Population
207,055Highest
1,703Lowest
13,961
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+14.1%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-7.5%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+4.3%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
33.9±0.5Lowest
15% below MA
43.3±2.4Highest
8% above MA
42.6±3.1
7% above MA
Erving and Millbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
19.6%±0.8
MA: 19.4%
16.3%±3.2Lowest
MA: 19.4%
20.9%±3Highest
MA: 19.4%
Millbury and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
13.3%±0.6Lowest
MA: 17.9%
22.6%±2.4Highest
MA: 17.9%
20.2%±2.7
MA: 17.9%
Erving and Millbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
35.2%
MA: 47.3%
24.1%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
36.1%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
14.1%±0.8Highest
MA: 7.9%
2.8%±1.3Lowest
MA: 7.9%
4.6%±1.5
MA: 7.9%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$70,102±$2kLowest
33% below MA
$77,656±$9k
25% below MA
$118,790±$13kHighest
14% above MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$374,400±$7k
33% below MA
$271,800±$20kLowest
52% below MA
$450,100±$19kHighest
20% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,487±$38
16% below MA
$1,163±$213Lowest
34% below MA
$1,623±$232Highest
8% below MA
Millbury and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,733
21% below MA
$1,870Lowest
69% below MA
$5,406Highest
10% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
54.2%±2.9Highest
MA: 51.8%
46.5%±23
MA: 51.8%
43.5%±12.5Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Worcester and Erving are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
19.6%Highest
MA: 10%
5.2%
MA: 10%
5%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
42.8%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
81.5%Highest
MA: 62.5%
75.4%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1951Lowest
13 yrs older than MA
1957
7 yrs older than MA
1965Highest
1 yr newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 minLowest
17% below MA
28 min
4% below MA
29 minHighest
about the MA average
Work from home
11.5%±1
MA: 18.6%
3.6%±2Lowest
MA: 18.6%
14.8%±3.4Highest
MA: 18.6%
Millbury and Worcester 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 #266 of 282 in MA — #202 of 282 in MA
School district Ma Academy for Math and Science · Worcester Erving Millbury
High school in town South High Community None in town Millbury Junior/Senior High
Students per teacherat that high school
14.6Highest
—
11.3Lowest
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.