Compare towns
Berlin vs Deerfield vs Middlesex vs Hudson
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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.2%).
Deerfield has the shortest commute (18 min average).
Middlesex has the most homeowners (96.7%).
Hudson has the most renters (26.8% rent).
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 | Deerfield | Middlesex | Hudson |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,378 |
5,158 |
1,943Lowest |
20,077Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-0.7%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.4% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49.7±2.8 28% above U.S. |
51.8±3.6Highest 33% above U.S. |
44.4±3.9 14% above U.S. |
42.9±1.7Lowest 10% above U.S. |
| Deerfield and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 13.4%±4.5 U.S.: 22% |
13.2%±3.7Lowest U.S.: 22% |
21.3%±3.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
19.3%±2.5 U.S.: 22% |
| Middlesex 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 U.S.: 17.2% |
22.9%±4.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
20.6%±3.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
20.1%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Berlin and Deerfield 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% |
44.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
54.7%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
46.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.3%±2.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
7.9%±3.4Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.2%±2.6 U.S.: 6.4% |
4%±1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Deerfield and Middlesex 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. |
$106,136±$14k 31% above U.S. |
$109,632±$13k 36% above U.S. |
$103,400±$13kLowest 28% above U.S. |
| Berlin and Middlesex 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. |
$414,900±$37k 25% above U.S. |
$376,300±$40kLowest 13% above U.S. |
$496,800±$22k 49% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,420±$933Highest 71% above U.S. |
$1,334±$318 6% below U.S. |
$1,333±$359Lowest 6% below U.S. |
$1,406±$82 about the U.S. average |
| Berlin and Hudson 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. |
$5,824Lowest 87% above U.S. |
$6,483 108% above U.S. |
$6,892 121% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.6%±19.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
26.1%±15.1 U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
40.8%±8.7 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Berlin and Hudson 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% |
7.8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.3% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 77.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
78.4% U.S.: 65.2% |
96.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
73.2%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1992Highest 12 yrs newer than U.S. |
1972 8 yrs older than U.S. |
1986 6 yrs newer than U.S. |
1970Lowest 10 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 34 minHighest 29% above U.S. |
18 minLowest 33% below U.S. |
27 min 4% above U.S. |
31 min 17% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 29.1%±6.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
17.5%±6.2Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
28.4%±10.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
19.6%±3.6 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Berlin and Middlesex 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 | #156 of 282 in MA | — | #224 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Berlin-Boylston | Deerfield · Frontier | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Hudson |
| High school in town | None in town | Frontier Regional | None in town | Hudson High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 11.1Highest |
— | 10.2Lowest |
| 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.