Signals
Methuen
Somerset
Opportunity
52 · Bottom 42%
vs55 · Bottom 47%
Climate
63 · Bottom 25%
vs64 · Bottom 30%
Housing affordability
83 · Top 46%
vs92 · Top 27%
Access
94 · Top 44%
vs97 · Top 29%
Economic stability
74 · Top 20%
vs72 · Top 24%
Measured values
| Metric | Methuen | Somerset | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 53,475 | 18,298 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $113,310 | $112,677 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $46,042 | $54,376 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 2,407/sq mi | 2,317/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $499,700 | $418,800 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,749 | $1,271 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 72.3% | 86.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6% | 4.6% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.7% | -2.1% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.0% | 37.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 7.9% | 4.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 83°F | 83°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 19°F | 21°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 40.9" | 45.9" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 19 mi | 14 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 30.2 min | 32.4 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 39.9 | 47.0 | 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
Methuen
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Somerset
Elevated or high exposure: hurricane.
Full profiles: Methuen, MA · Somerset, MA · How this is calculated: methodology