Compare towns

Berlin vs Canton vs Hudson

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).
Canton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+13%).
Hudson has the most affordable homes ($497k 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.

MeasureBerlinCantonHudson
People
Population
3,378Lowest
24,748Highest
20,077
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+10.2%
MA: +7.4%
+13%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+5.4%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
49.7±2.8Highest
24% above MA
42.6±2.3Lowest
7% above MA
42.9±1.7
7% above MA
Kids under 18
13.4%±4.5Lowest
MA: 19.4%
22.9%±2.3Highest
MA: 19.4%
19.3%±2.5
MA: 19.4%
Canton and Hudson 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%
18.8%±2Lowest
MA: 17.9%
20.1%±2.3
MA: 17.9%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
48.3%
MA: 47.3%
67.5%Highest
MA: 47.3%
46.1%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.3%±2.5
MA: 7.9%
4.5%±1Highest
MA: 7.9%
4%±1Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Canton and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$121,336±$12k
17% above MA
$143,381±$9kHighest
38% above MA
$103,400±$13kLowest
about the MA average
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$616,600±$55k
10% above MA
$710,600±$27kHighest
26% above MA
$496,800±$22kLowest
12% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,420±$933Highest
37% above MA
$2,315±$178
31% above MA
$1,406±$82Lowest
20% below MA
Berlin and Canton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$7,116Highest
19% above MA
$6,560Lowest
9% above MA
$6,892
15% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
52.6%±19.7Highest
MA: 51.8%
52.4%±9.1
MA: 51.8%
40.8%±8.7Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Berlin and Canton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5%Lowest
MA: 10%
5.2%
MA: 10%
5.3%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
77.3%Highest
MA: 62.5%
73.6%
MA: 62.5%
73.2%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1992Highest
28 yrs newer than MA
1980
16 yrs newer than MA
1970Lowest
6 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 min
17% above MA
36 minHighest
23% above MA
31 minLowest
6% above MA
Work from home
29.1%±6.8Highest
MA: 18.6%
25.7%±3.3
MA: 18.6%
19.6%±3.6Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Berlin and Canton 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 #81 of 282 in MA #224 of 282 in MA
School district Berlin-Boylston Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical · Canton Hudson
High school in town None in town Canton High Hudson High
Students per teacherat that high school —
13.1Highest
10.2Lowest
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.