Charlton vs Sturbridge
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 essentially identical, so schools break the tie: Sturbridge is ahead — 60th percentile on MCAS against 34th.
Charlton is about 7 minutes closer to downtown Boston at peak. Over a decade of commuting that gap is worth more than most people price it at.
On tax, look past the rate: Charlton works out roughly $2,600 a year cheaper on its own median 4BR.
Choose Charlton if the commute matters most.
All Charlton numbers →Choose Sturbridge if you want the stronger schools of the two, or you want the lower price.
All Sturbridge 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.
SchoolsSturbridge ahead on 3 of 10, 1 against
| Charlton | Sturbridge | |
|---|---|---|
| School tier | solid schoolsT3 | solid schoolsT3 |
| MCAS achievement | 34th | 60th |
| Student growth | 45th | 45th |
| Graduation rate | 90.6% | 95.5% |
| Niche district rank | 106th of 236 | 72nd of 236 |
| SchoolDigger rank | 233rd of 361 | 257th of 361 |
| State accountability | Moderate progress toward targets | Substantial progress toward targets |
| Spending per pupil | $17,572 | $21,257 |
| Schools in the district | 6 | 1 |
| Private schools within 12 mi | 0 | 0 |
What a home costsCharlton ahead on 1 of 8
| Charlton | Sturbridge | |
|---|---|---|
| 4BR house | $550kT1 | $550kT1 |
| 3BR townhouse | $425k | $425k |
| 2BR condo | $315k | $315k |
| 3BR home | $527k | $507k |
| 5+ BR home | $686k | $700k |
| 3BR rent | $2,300/mo | $2,520/mo |
| Income needed for the 4BR | $148k | $157k |
| 10-year price growth | 6.6% a year | 6.6% a year |
What you pay the townCharlton ahead on 2 of 4
| Charlton | Sturbridge | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax rate | $10.94T2 | $15.60T4 |
| Est. tax bill on that 4BR | ≈$6,000 | ≈$8,600 |
| Town spending per resident | $3,172 | $4,355 |
| Share of budget on schools | 50% | 51% |
Getting to workCharlton ahead on 2 of 3
| Charlton | Sturbridge | |
|---|---|---|
| Commute to Boston | 87 minT4 | 94 minT4 |
| MBTA rail | No MBTA rail | No MBTA rail |
| Miles from downtown | 49 mi | 56 mi |
Before kindergartenCharlton ahead on 2 of 4
| Charlton | Sturbridge | |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed child care programs | 16 | 13 |
| Child care places | 453 | 287 |
| Centers vs family programs | 5 centers | 5 centers |
| Infant places in centers | 43 | 45 |
What the place is likeDescribes the two, does not rank them
| Charlton | Sturbridge | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,315 | 9,867 |
| Energy | 4/10 | 7/10 |
| Compact center | 4/10 | 7/10 |
| Family amenities | 3/10 | 4/10 |
| Culture | 4/10 | 8/10 |
| Gathering places | 6/10 | 8/10 |
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.
