Signals
Methuen
Darien
Opportunity
52 · Bottom 42%
vs47 · Bottom 31%
Growth
59 · Top 34%
vs56 · Top 39%
Climate
63 · Bottom 25%
vs63 · Bottom 25%
Housing affordability
83 · Top 46%
vs89 · Top 34%
Access
94 · Top 44%
vs93 · Top 47%
Economic stability
74 · Top 20%
vs77 · Top 13%
Measured values
| Metric | Methuen | Darien | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 53,475 | 21,879 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $113,310 | $111,215 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $46,042 | $55,898 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 2,407/sq mi | 3,544/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $499,700 | $398,700 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,749 | $1,857 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 72.3% | 78.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6% | 4.9% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.7% | -3.0% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.0% | 52.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 7.9% | 4.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 82 | 54 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.5 | 2.5 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 355.6% | 54.3% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 83°F | 85°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 19°F | 19°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 40.9" | 34.4" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 19 mi | 16 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 30.2 min | 31.1 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 39.9 | 44.4 | 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.
Full profiles: Methuen, MA · Darien, IL · How this is calculated: methodology