Signals
Middletown
Fitchburg
Opportunity
35 · Bottom 10%
vs46 · Bottom 29%
Growth
40 · Bottom 33%
vs31 · Bottom 19%
Climate
62 · Bottom 22%
vs60 · Bottom 14%
Housing affordability
83 · Top 46%
vs77 · Bottom 44%
Access
89 · Bottom 38%
vs86 · Bottom 32%
Economic stability
59 · Bottom 47%
vs55 · Bottom 39%
Measured values
| Metric | Middletown | Fitchburg | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,958 | 41,798 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $79,438 | $73,040 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $45,165 | $37,302 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 1,169/sq mi | 1,502/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $295,300 | $336,400 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,446 | $1,222 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 52.9% | 54.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 5.0% | 5.1% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -5.0% | -1.3% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 40.2% | 25.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.0% | 15.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 19 | 12 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 0.4 | 0.3 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 18.8% | -58.6% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 84°F | 83°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 19°F | 16°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 44.9" | 43.4" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 27 mi | 30 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 25.0 min | 28.7 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 38.1 | 36.3 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 12 | 10 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 12.11 | 11.95 | 2024-25 school 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
Middletown
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Fitchburg
Elevated or high exposure: hurricane.
Your best match
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Middletown
61
Your Score
—
Area Score
Fitchburg
58
Your Score
56
Area Score
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Full profiles: Middletown, CT · Fitchburg, MA · How this is calculated: methodology