Compare towns
Berlin vs Hatfield vs Lee
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%).
Hatfield has the youngest population (median age 46.8).
Lee has the most affordable homes ($353k 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 | Hatfield | Lee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,378 |
3,325Lowest |
5,719Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.2%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+2.2% MA: +7.4% |
-2.6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49.7±2.8 24% above MA |
46.8±5Lowest 17% above MA |
55.2±5.8Highest 38% above MA |
| Lee 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% |
14%±4.3Highest MA: 19.4% |
12.6%±5Lowest MA: 19.4% |
| Hatfield and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 30.1%±5.9 MA: 17.9% |
23.3%±4.6Lowest MA: 17.9% |
33.4%±6.1Highest MA: 17.9% |
| Lee 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% MA: 47.3% |
48.5%Highest MA: 47.3% |
44.1%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.3%±2.5Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.1%±2.6Highest MA: 7.9% |
5%±2.1 MA: 7.9% |
| Hatfield and Lee 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 |
$89,005±$25k 14% below MA |
$83,750±$13kLowest 19% below MA |
| Berlin and Hatfield 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 |
$440,800±$26k 22% below MA |
$352,700±$19kLowest 37% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,420±$933Highest 37% above MA |
$1,267±$216Lowest 28% below MA |
$1,375±$212 22% below MA |
| Berlin and Lee 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 |
$4,930 18% below MA |
$3,980Lowest 34% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.6%±19.7 MA: 51.8% |
42.6%±11.8Lowest MA: 51.8% |
57.3%±21.2Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Lee and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5%Lowest MA: 10% |
8.9%Highest MA: 10% |
7.2% MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 77.3%Highest MA: 62.5% |
74.6% MA: 62.5% |
71.1%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1992Highest 28 yrs newer than MA |
1967 3 yrs newer than MA |
1959Lowest 5 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 34 minHighest 17% above MA |
20 min 30% below MA |
18 minLowest 38% below MA |
| Work from home | 29.1%±6.8Highest MA: 18.6% |
16%±6.3Lowest MA: 18.6% |
16.4%±7.8 MA: 18.6% |
| Berlin and Lee 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 | #198 of 282 in MA | #209 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Berlin-Boylston | Hatfield | Lee |
| High school in town | None in town | Smith Academy | Lee Middle/High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 6.1Lowest |
9.2Highest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.