Georgetown vs Rowley
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: Rowley is ahead — 66th percentile on MCAS against 45th.
On tax, look past the rate: Rowley works out roughly $1,300 a year cheaper on its own median 4BR.
Choose Georgetown if the commute matters most.
All Georgetown numbers →Choose Rowley if you want the stronger schools of the two, or you want the lower price, or you want a train.
All Rowley 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.
SchoolsRowley ahead on 3 of 9
| Georgetown | Rowley | |
|---|---|---|
| School tier | solid schoolsT3 | solid schoolsT3 |
| MCAS achievement | 45th | 66th |
| Student growth | 39th | 54th |
| Graduation rate | 93.9% | 92.9% |
| SchoolDigger rank | 224th of 361 | 60th of 361 |
| State accountability | Moderate progress toward targets | Substantial progress toward targets |
| Spending per pupil | $20,089 | $24,897 |
| Schools in the district | 2 | 4 |
| Private schools within 12 mi | 9 | 10 |
What a home costsLevel across all 7
| Georgetown | Rowley | |
|---|---|---|
| 4BR house | $800kT2 | $800kT2 |
| 3BR townhouse | $620k | $620k |
| 2BR condo | $460k | $460k |
| 3BR home | $730k | $778k |
| 3BR rent | $3,220/mo | $3,180/mo |
| Income needed for the 4BR | $220k | $215k |
| 10-year price growth | 6.1% a year | 5.9% a year |
What you pay the townRowley ahead on 2 of 4
| Georgetown | Rowley | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax rate | $13.76T3 | $12.09T2 |
| Est. tax bill on that 4BR | ≈$11,000 | ≈$9,700 |
| Town spending per resident | $4,268 | $4,277 |
| Share of budget on schools | 53% | 53% |
Getting to workRowley ahead on 1 of 3
| Georgetown | Rowley | |
|---|---|---|
| Commute to Boston | 62 minT4 | 63 minT4 |
| MBTA rail | No MBTA rail | Commuter rail · ~64 min to terminal |
| Miles from downtown | 26 mi | 27 mi |
Before kindergartenRowley ahead on 1 of 4
| Georgetown | Rowley | |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed child care programs | 6 | 7 |
| Child care places | 222 | 236 |
| Centers vs family programs | 3 centers | 4 centers |
| Infant places in centers | 25 | 83 |
What the place is likeDescribes the two, does not rank them
| Georgetown | Rowley | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,470 | 6,161 |
| Energy | 4/10 | 5/10 |
| Compact center | 4/10 | 4/10 |
| Family amenities | 3/10 | 3/10 |
| Culture | 4/10 | 5/10 |
| Gathering places | 6/10 | 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.
