Compare towns
Berlin vs North Haven vs Meriden
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Berlin has the oldest population (median age 48.7).
North Haven has the highest household income ($133k).
Meriden has the most affordable homes ($241k median).
What matters to you?
Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.
| Measure | Berlin | North Haven | Meriden |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 20,361Lowest |
24,336 |
60,545Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | +0.7%Highest CT: +0.9% |
0%Lowest CT: +0.9% |
| Median age | 48.7±3Highest 18% above CT |
45.7±1.3 11% above CT |
38.9±1.3Lowest 5% below CT |
| Berlin and North Haven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 19.4%±2.7Lowest CT: 20.2% |
21.5%±2.5 CT: 20.2% |
21.9%±1.6Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Meriden and North Haven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 23.5%±3.1Highest CT: 18.5% |
22.3%±2.1 CT: 18.5% |
16.2%±1.2Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Berlin and North Haven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 44.9% CT: 42.5% |
46.5%Highest CT: 42.5% |
22.2%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7.2%±1.5Highest CT: 7.1% |
4.5%±1.3Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.6%±0.9 CT: 7.1% |
| Berlin and Meriden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $113,598±$11k 19% above CT |
$132,689±$7kHighest 39% above CT |
$71,253±$4kLowest 26% below CT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $374,600±$13k about the CT average |
$393,200±$15kHighest 7% above CT |
$241,200±$7kLowest 34% below CT |
| North Haven and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,402±$88 6% below CT |
$1,720±$127Highest 16% above CT |
$1,294±$72Lowest 13% below CT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,291Highest 10% above CT |
$6,964 5% above CT |
$5,129Lowest 23% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 63.4%±11.3Highest CT: 52.6% |
45.2%±10Lowest CT: 52.6% |
53.4%±4.9 CT: 52.6% |
| Berlin and Meriden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 3.4%Lowest CT: 10% |
4.1% CT: 10% |
13.2%Highest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.6%Highest CT: 66.5% |
81.3% CT: 66.5% |
60.1%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972Highest 5 yrs newer than CT |
1964 3 yrs older than CT |
1960Lowest 7 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 21% below CT |
22 min 18% below CT |
23 minHighest 13% below CT |
| Work from home | 14.4%±4.6 CT: 16% |
14.9%±2.8Highest CT: 16% |
8.6%±1.6Lowest CT: 16% |
| North Haven and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #73 of 149 in CT | #84 of 149 in CT | #124 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Berlin School District | — | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Meriden School District |
| High school in town | Berlin High School | — | Francis T. Maloney High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.5Lowest |
— | 16.2Highest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
CT average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.