Ayer vs Groton
You are paying about $400k more for a 4BR in Groton, and in exchange you get the stronger schools. That is the trade in plain terms: $400k for two tiers of schooling.
On tax, look past the rate: Ayer works out roughly $6,900 a year cheaper on its own median 4BR.
Choose Ayer if you want the lower price, or the commute matters most, or you want a train.
All Ayer numbers →Choose Groton if you want the stronger schools of the two.
All Groton numbers →Side by side
The better of the two is highlighted on each row. Where a row is not highlighted, the two are close enough that calling a winner would be false precision.
| Ayer | Groton | |
|---|---|---|
| School tier | mixed schoolsT4 | strong schoolsT2 |
| MCAS percentile | 45th | 82nd |
| Niche district rank | — | 40th of 236 |
| 4BR house | $550kT1 | $950kT3 |
| 2BR condo | $315k | $520k |
| Commute to Boston | 71 minT4 | 71 minT4 |
| MBTA rail | Commuter rail · ~72 min to terminal | No MBTA rail |
| Tax rate | $12.50T3 | $14.50T3 |
| Est. tax bill on that 4BR | ≈$6,900 | ≈$13,800 |
| 3BR rent | $3,080/mo | $3,080/mo |
Prices are estimates calibrated to the Zillow Home Value Index and Redfin; tax rates are FY2026 residential rates and the bill applies that rate to the town’s own median 4BR estimate; commutes take the rail leg from the MBTA timetable and still model the drive; rents are HUD FY2026 Small Area Fair Market Rents. School tiers are editorial and shown next to the state’s own MCAS figures. Data last reviewed — see the methodology. This comparison never uses demographics as an input.
