Compare towns
Berlin vs Glocester 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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.2%).
Glocester has the most kids (19.8% under 18).
Northfield has the shortest commute (31 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.
| Measure | Berlin | Glocester | Northfield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,378 |
10,221Highest |
2,872Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
-5.5%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49.7±2.8 28% above U.S. |
50.8±4.3Highest 31% above U.S. |
48.9±4.2Lowest 26% above U.S. |
| Glocester and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 13.4%±4.5Lowest U.S.: 22% |
19.8%±4.3Highest U.S.: 22% |
14.8%±4.1 U.S.: 22% |
| Glocester and Northfield 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% |
22.2%±3.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
25.5%±5.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Berlin and Northfield 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% |
35.7%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
42.4% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.3%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.3%±1.9Lowest 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. |
$113,508±$7k 41% above U.S. |
$103,375±$10kLowest 28% above U.S. |
| Berlin and Glocester 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. |
$396,500±$28k 19% above U.S. |
$375,800±$31kLowest 13% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,420±$933Highest 71% above U.S. |
$1,417±$627 about the U.S. average |
$1,142±$200Lowest 19% below U.S. |
| Berlin and Glocester 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. |
$5,248 68% above U.S. |
$4,594Lowest 47% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.6%±19.7 U.S.: 51.1% |
64.5%±24Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
49.2%±25.9Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Glocester and Berlin 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% |
4.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
6.8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 77.3%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
91%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
85.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1992Highest 12 yrs newer than U.S. |
1975 5 yrs older than U.S. |
1962Lowest 18 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 34 min 29% above U.S. |
34 minHighest 30% above U.S. |
31 minLowest 19% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 29.1%±6.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
13.1%±4.7Lowest 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 | #12 of 38 in RI | #231 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Berlin-Boylston | Foster-Glocester · Glocester | Pioneer Valley |
| High school in town | None in town | Ponaganset High School | Pioneer Valley Regional |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 12.8Highest |
10.7Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.