Compare towns
Berlin vs Dalton vs Ogunquit 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 highest household income ($121k).
Dalton has the most kids (20.6% under 18).
Ogunquit has grown the fastest since 2010 (+76.8%).
Northfield has the youngest population (median age 48.9).
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 | Dalton | Ogunquit | Northfield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,378 |
6,256Highest |
1,379Lowest |
2,872 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
-6.3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+76.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-5.5% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49.7±2.8 28% above U.S. |
49.7±5.8 28% above U.S. |
62.8±4.8Highest 61% above U.S. |
48.9±4.2Lowest 26% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 13.4%±4.5 U.S.: 22% |
20.6%±4.7Highest U.S.: 22% |
5.7%±3.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
14.8%±4.1 U.S.: 22% |
| Dalton 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% |
27.9%±5.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
43.6%±10.1Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
25.5%±5.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Ogunquit 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% U.S.: 35.7% |
44.3% U.S.: 35.7% |
63.5%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
42.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.3%±2.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.3%±1.6Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.2%±2.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
4.4%±3Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Northfield 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±$12kHighest 50% above U.S. |
$79,438±$8kLowest about the U.S. average |
$114,259±$56k 42% above U.S. |
$103,375±$10k 28% above U.S. |
| Berlin and Ogunquit are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $616,600±$55k 85% above U.S. |
$295,700±$26kLowest 11% below U.S. |
$875,700±$79kHighest 163% above U.S. |
$375,800±$31k 13% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,420±$933Highest 71% above U.S. |
$872±$70Lowest 38% below U.S. |
— | $1,142±$200 19% below U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,116Highest 128% above U.S. |
$4,276Lowest 37% above U.S. |
$4,473 43% above U.S. |
$4,594 47% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.6%±19.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
41.2%±19 U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±61.1Lowest 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% U.S.: 12.5% |
7.4%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.2%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
6.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 77.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
70.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
94.3%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
85.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1992Highest 12 yrs newer than U.S. |
1957Lowest 23 yrs older than U.S. |
1978 2 yrs older than U.S. |
1962 18 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 34 minHighest 29% above U.S. |
22 minLowest 16% below U.S. |
26 min about the U.S. average |
31 min 19% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 29.1%±6.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
12.5%±7.1Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
43.3%±12.4Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
16.5%±10.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Ogunquit 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 | #61 of 282 in MA | #192 of 282 in MA | — | #231 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Berlin-Boylston | Central Berkshire | — | Pioneer Valley |
| High school in town | None in town | Wahconah Regional High | — | Pioneer Valley Regional |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 10.9Highest |
— | 10.7Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet | 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.