Compare towns
Berlin vs Bolton vs Lancaster
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Berlin has the oldest population (median age 49.7).
Bolton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+15.7%).
Lancaster has the most affordable homes ($519k 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 | Bolton | Lancaster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,378Lowest |
5,737 |
8,606Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.2% MA: +7.4% |
+15.7%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+4.8%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49.7±2.8Highest 24% above MA |
41.2±1.7Lowest 3% above MA |
43.1±4.9 8% above MA |
| Berlin and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 13.4%±4.5Lowest MA: 19.4% |
25%±3.9Highest MA: 19.4% |
19.2%±4 MA: 19.4% |
| Bolton and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 30.1%±5.9Highest MA: 17.9% |
15.7%±3.2Lowest MA: 17.9% |
19.9%±4.2 MA: 17.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 48.3%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
81.9%Highest MA: 47.3% |
50.3% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.3%±2.5Highest MA: 7.9% |
3.6%±1.5 MA: 7.9% |
3%±1.8Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Berlin and Bolton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $121,336±$12kLowest 17% above MA |
$205,449±$31kHighest 98% above MA |
$134,833±$27k 30% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $616,600±$55k 10% above MA |
$796,000±$49kHighest 42% above MA |
$519,100±$60kLowest 8% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,420±$933Highest 37% above MA |
$1,583±$1kLowest 10% below MA |
$2,338±$539 33% above MA |
| Berlin and Lancaster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,116Lowest 19% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$7,235 21% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.6%±19.7 MA: 51.8% |
12.7%±45.6Lowest MA: 51.8% |
68.3%±36.7Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Lancaster and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5%Highest MA: 10% |
2.9% MA: 10% |
1.4%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 77.3%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
94.7%Highest MA: 62.5% |
85.1% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1992Highest 28 yrs newer than MA |
1988 24 yrs newer than MA |
1971Lowest 7 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 34 min 17% above MA |
37 minHighest 26% above MA |
32 minLowest 9% above MA |
| Work from home | 29.1%±6.8Lowest MA: 18.6% |
40.5%±6.9Highest MA: 18.6% |
33.6%±9.1 MA: 18.6% |
| Bolton and Lancaster 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 | #61 of 282 in MA | #28 of 282 in MA | #145 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Berlin-Boylston | Nashoba | Nashoba |
| High school in town | None in town | Nashoba Regional | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 12.0 |
— |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | None yet | None yet |
MA 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.