Compare towns

Berlin vs Erving vs Deerfield

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Berlin has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.2%).
Erving has the most affordable homes ($272k median).
Deerfield has the shortest commute (18 min average).

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.

MeasureBerlinErvingDeerfield
People
Population
3,378
1,703Lowest
5,158Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+10.2%Highest
MA: +7.4%
-7.5%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
-0.7%
MA: +7.4%
Median age
49.7±2.8
24% above MA
43.3±2.4Lowest
8% above MA
51.8±3.6Highest
30% above MA
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
MA: 19.4%
16.3%±3.2Highest
MA: 19.4%
13.2%±3.7Lowest
MA: 19.4%
Erving and Berlin 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%
22.6%±2.4Lowest
MA: 17.9%
22.9%±4.2
MA: 17.9%
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%Highest
MA: 47.3%
24.1%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
44.4%
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.3%±2.5
MA: 7.9%
2.8%±1.3Lowest
MA: 7.9%
7.9%±3.4Highest
MA: 7.9%
Deerfield 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
17% above MA
$77,656±$9kLowest
25% below MA
$106,136±$14k
about the MA average
Berlin and Deerfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$616,600±$55kHighest
10% above MA
$271,800±$20kLowest
52% below MA
$414,900±$37k
26% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,420±$933Highest
37% above MA
$1,163±$213Lowest
34% below MA
$1,334±$318
24% below MA
Berlin and Deerfield 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
$1,870Lowest
69% below MA
$5,824
about the MA average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
52.6%±19.7Highest
MA: 51.8%
46.5%±23
MA: 51.8%
26.1%±15.1Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Berlin and Erving 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%
7.8%Highest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
77.3%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
81.5%Highest
MA: 62.5%
78.4%
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1992Highest
28 yrs newer than MA
1957Lowest
7 yrs older than MA
1972
8 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 minHighest
17% above MA
28 min
4% below MA
18 minLowest
40% below MA
Work from home
29.1%±6.8Highest
MA: 18.6%
3.6%±2Lowest
MA: 18.6%
17.5%±6.2
MA: 18.6%
Berlin and Deerfield 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
School district Berlin-Boylston Erving Deerfield · Frontier
High school in town None in town None in town Frontier Regional
Students per teacherat that high school — —
11.1
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.