Compare towns
Berlin vs Clinton vs Unity vs Northfield
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Berlin has the most people working from home (29.1%).
Clinton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+13.4%).
Unity has the most affordable homes ($276k 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 | Clinton | Unity | Northfield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,378 |
15,563Highest |
1,375Lowest |
2,872 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
+13.4%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-9.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
-5.5% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49.7±2.8 28% above U.S. |
38.6±2.7Lowest about the U.S. average |
58±4.5Highest 49% above U.S. |
48.9±4.2 26% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 13.4%±4.5 U.S.: 22% |
17.8%±2.5Highest U.S.: 22% |
12%±4.1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
14.8%±4.1 U.S.: 22% |
| Clinton and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 30.1%±5.9 U.S.: 17.2% |
14.5%±2.8Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
34.9%±7Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
25.5%±5.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Unity and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 48.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
36.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
21.6%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
42.4% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.3%±2.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
6.9%±2Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1%±0.7Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.4%±3 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Clinton and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $121,336±$12kHighest 50% above U.S. |
$89,781±$10k 11% above U.S. |
$87,500±$16kLowest 8% above U.S. |
$103,375±$10k 28% above U.S. |
| Berlin and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $616,600±$55kHighest 85% above U.S. |
$387,300±$19k 16% above U.S. |
$276,100±$29kLowest 17% below U.S. |
$375,800±$31k 13% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,420±$933Highest 71% above U.S. |
$1,402±$76 about the U.S. average |
$1,625±$804 15% above U.S. |
$1,142±$200Lowest 19% below U.S. |
| Berlin and Unity are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,116Highest 128% above U.S. |
$4,654 49% above U.S. |
$5,394 73% above U.S. |
$4,594Lowest 47% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.6%±19.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
40.3%±6.4 U.S.: 51.1% |
40%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
49.2%±25.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Berlin and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.6%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
6.3% U.S.: 12.5% |
6.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 77.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
54.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
94.5%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
85.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1992Highest 12 yrs newer than U.S. |
1956Lowest 24 yrs older than U.S. |
1982 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
1962 18 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 34 min 29% above U.S. |
30 minLowest 13% above U.S. |
35 minHighest 32% above U.S. |
31 min 19% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 29.1%±6.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
14.2%±4.2 U.S.: 15.1% |
9.5%±4Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
16.5%±10.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Berlin and Northfield 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 | #246 of 282 in MA | — | #231 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Berlin-Boylston | Clinton | Unity School District | Pioneer Valley |
| High school in town | None in town | Clinton Senior High | None in town | Pioneer Valley Regional |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 12.8Highest |
— | 10.7Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | 4 photos → | None yet |
U.S. 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.