Compare towns
Worcester vs Jackson vs Middlesex
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k median).
Jackson has grown the fastest since 2010 (+26%).
Middlesex has the most kids (21.3% under 18).
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.
| Measure | Worcester | Jackson | Middlesex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 831Lowest |
897 |
1,943Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -3.4%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+26%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 47±2.7 21% above U.S. |
60.5±2.5Highest 56% above U.S. |
44.4±3.9Lowest 14% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 12.8%±3.9 U.S.: 22% |
4.1%±4.1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
21.3%±3.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Age 65+ | 19.5%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
28.4%±6.4Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
20.6%±3.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Jackson and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 53%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
67.7%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
54.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.9%±4.7Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
3%±3.4Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.2%±2.6 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Worcester and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $73,833±$18kLowest 9% below U.S. |
$117,986±$46kHighest 46% above U.S. |
$109,632±$13k 36% above U.S. |
| Jackson and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $271,100±$27kLowest 19% below U.S. |
$719,300±$109kHighest 116% above U.S. |
$376,300±$40k 13% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,023±$136Lowest 28% below U.S. |
$1,750±$1kHighest 24% above U.S. |
$1,333±$359 6% below U.S. |
| Jackson and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,421Lowest 42% above U.S. |
$6,001 92% above U.S. |
$6,483Highest 108% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 25.5%±37Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
21.1%±59.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Worcester and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
16.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 85.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
91.4% U.S.: 65.2% |
96.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976Lowest 4 yrs older than U.S. |
1980 same as U.S. |
1986Highest 6 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 29 minHighest 9% above U.S. |
19 minLowest 30% below U.S. |
27 min 4% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 23.6%±4.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
22.2%±10.2Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
28.4%±10.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Middlesex and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Jackson School District | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.