Signals
Brighton
Methuen
Opportunity
47 · Bottom 30%
vs52 · Bottom 42%
Growth
55 · Top 41%
vs59 · Top 34%
Climate
60 · Bottom 14%
vs63 · Bottom 25%
Housing affordability
77 · Bottom 45%
vs83 · Top 46%
Access
100 · Top 1%
vs94 · Top 44%
Economic stability
72 · Top 23%
vs74 · Top 20%
Measured values
| Metric | Brighton | Methuen | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 42,059 | 53,475 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $107,679 | $113,310 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $41,641 | $46,042 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 1,936/sq mi | 2,407/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $499,500 | $499,700 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,779 | $1,749 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 71.5% | 72.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3% | 4.6% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -2.8% | -1.7% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.5% | 31.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 9.4% | 7.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 284 | 82 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 6.8 | 1.5 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -49.3% | 355.6% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 90°F | 83°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 19°F | 19°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 40.9" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 10 mi | 19 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 33.0 min | 30.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 34.0 | 39.9 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Brighton
Elevated or high exposure: hail.
Methuen
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Full profiles: Brighton, CO · Methuen, MA · How this is calculated: methodology