Ashland vs Holliston
marks the Massachusetts median on each scale. The better of the two is picked out where the gap is big enough to call; where neither is, they are level.
The prices are within about $50k of each other, so schools break the tie: Holliston is ahead — 80th percentile on MCAS against 76th.
On tax, look past the rate: Ashland works out roughly $2,100 a year cheaper on its own median 4BR.
Choose Ashland if you want the lower price, or the commute matters most, or you want a train.
All Ashland numbers →Choose Holliston if you want the stronger schools of the two.
All Holliston numbers →Side by side
Some rows have no better. Town character describes a place rather than ranking it, and per-pupil spending tracks need rather than results, so neither is picked out.
SchoolsHolliston ahead on 3 of 10, 2 against
| Ashland | Holliston | |
|---|---|---|
| School tier | solid schoolsT3 | strong schoolsT2 |
| MCAS achievement | 76th | 80th |
| Student growth | 56th | 56th |
| Graduation rate | 91.5% | 95.1% |
| Niche district rank | 38th of 236 | 46th of 236 |
| SchoolDigger rank | 78th of 361 | 58th of 361 |
| State accountability | Substantial progress toward targets | Substantial progress toward targets |
| Spending per pupil | $17,922 | $19,110 |
| Schools in the district | 4 | 3 |
| Private schools within 12 mi | 17 | 12 |
What a home costsHolliston ahead on 1 of 8
| Ashland | Holliston | |
|---|---|---|
| 4BR house | $850kT2 | $900kT3 |
| 3BR townhouse | $660k | $690k |
| 2BR condo | $490k | $510k |
| 3BR home | $675k | $679k |
| 5+ BR home | $1.06M | $1.13M |
| 3BR rent | $3,910/mo | $3,303/mo |
| Income needed for the 4BR | $230k | $248k |
| 10-year price growth | 5.8% a year | 5.4% a year |
What you pay the townAshland ahead on 2 of 4
| Ashland | Holliston | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax rate | $12.71T3 | $14.29T3 |
| Est. tax bill on that 4BR | ≈$10,800 | ≈$12,900 |
| Town spending per resident | $4,107 | $4,696 |
| Share of budget on schools | 56% | 65% |
Getting to workAshland ahead on 1 of 3
| Ashland | Holliston | |
|---|---|---|
| Commute to Boston | 55 minT3 | 57 minT3 |
| MBTA rail | Commuter rail · ~56 min to terminal | No MBTA rail |
| Miles from downtown | 22 mi | 23 mi |
Before kindergartenAshland ahead on 3 of 4
| Ashland | Holliston | |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed child care programs | 26 | 16 |
| Child care places | 726 | 367 |
| Centers vs family programs | 9 centers | 6 centers |
| Infant places in centers | 126 | 41 |
What the place is likeDescribes the two, does not rank them
| Ashland | Holliston | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,832 | 14,996 |
| Energy | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Compact center | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Family amenities | 4/10 | 6/10 |
| Culture | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Gathering places | 7/10 | 7/10 |
The tax bill is each town’s own rate on its own median 4BR, so a lower rate does not always mean a lower bill. School tiers are editorial, shown beside the state’s own MCAS figures rather than derived from them.
Prices calibrated to Zillow ZHVI and Redfin · FY2026 residential tax rates · rail leg from the MBTA timetable, drive modeled · rents are HUD FY2027 Small Area FMRs · reviewed · methodology. Never uses demographics as an input.
