Compare towns

Worcester vs Lynnfield vs Springfield

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%).
Lynnfield has the highest household income ($175k).
Springfield has the most affordable homes ($245k 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.

MeasureWorcesterLynnfieldSpringfield
People
Population
207,055Highest
13,064Lowest
154,749
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+14.1%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+12.1%
MA: +7.4%
+1.9%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
33.9±0.5
15% below MA
41.4±2.1Highest
4% above MA
33.7±0.5Lowest
16% below MA
Kids under 18
19.6%±0.8Lowest
MA: 19.4%
28%±4.2Highest
MA: 19.4%
24.2%±0.9
MA: 19.4%
Lynnfield and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
13.3%±0.6
MA: 17.9%
17.9%±2.4Highest
MA: 17.9%
13.2%±0.7Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
35.2%
MA: 47.3%
62.7%Highest
MA: 47.3%
20.5%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
14.1%±0.8Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.2%±1.1Lowest
MA: 7.9%
7.5%±0.5
MA: 7.9%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$70,102±$2k
33% below MA
$175,265±$23kHighest
69% above MA
$52,656±$2kLowest
49% below MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$374,400±$7k
33% below MA
$917,600±$31kHighest
63% above MA
$245,000±$4kLowest
56% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,487±$38
16% below MA
$2,676±$219Highest
52% above MA
$1,144±$55Lowest
35% below MA
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,733
21% below MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
$3,695Lowest
38% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
54.2%±2.9Lowest
MA: 51.8%
69.2%±21.9Highest
MA: 51.8%
57.7%±3.1
MA: 51.8%
Lynnfield and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
19.6%
MA: 10%
6%Lowest
MA: 10%
25.8%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
42.8%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
87.3%Highest
MA: 62.5%
49.6%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1951Lowest
13 yrs older than MA
1964Highest
same as MA
1952
12 yrs older than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 min
17% below MA
32 minHighest
10% above MA
20 minLowest
31% below MA
Work from home
11.5%±1
MA: 18.6%
27.4%±4.7Highest
MA: 18.6%
8.4%±0.9Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #266 of 282 in MA #27 of 282 in MA #276 of 282 in MA
School district Ma Academy for Math and Science · Worcester Lynnfield Springfield
High school in town South High Community Lynnfield High Springfield Central High
Students per teacherat that high school
14.6Highest
12.0Lowest
12.2
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.