Compare towns
Berlin vs Hatfield vs Needham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Berlin has the oldest population (median age 49.7).
Hatfield has the most affordable homes ($441k median).
Needham has the most kids (27.5% under 18).
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 | Needham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,378 |
3,325Lowest |
32,459Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.2% MA: +7.4% |
+2.2%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+11.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49.7±2.8Highest 24% above MA |
46.8±5 17% above MA |
43.1±1.6Lowest 8% above MA |
| Berlin and Hatfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 13.4%±4.5Lowest MA: 19.4% |
14%±4.3 MA: 19.4% |
27.5%±2.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Age 65+ | 30.1%±5.9Highest MA: 17.9% |
23.3%±4.6 MA: 17.9% |
17.7%±1.7Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Berlin and Hatfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 48.3%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
48.5% MA: 47.3% |
81.9%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.3%±2.5Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5.1%±2.6 MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±1.1Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Needham and Hatfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $121,336±$12k 17% above MA |
$89,005±$25kLowest 14% below MA |
$214,308±$13kHighest 106% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $616,600±$55k 10% above MA |
$440,800±$26kLowest 22% below MA |
$1,188,500±$43kHighest 111% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,420±$933Highest 37% above MA |
$1,267±$216Lowest 28% below MA |
$2,409±$183 37% above MA |
| Berlin and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,116 19% above MA |
$4,930Lowest 18% below MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.6%±19.7 MA: 51.8% |
42.6%±11.8Lowest MA: 51.8% |
55.9%±8.5Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Needham and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5% MA: 10% |
8.9%Highest MA: 10% |
3.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 77.3% MA: 62.5% |
74.6%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
83.1%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1992Highest 28 yrs newer than MA |
1967 3 yrs newer than MA |
1965Lowest 1 yr newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 34 minHighest 17% above MA |
20 minLowest 30% below MA |
28 min 5% below MA |
| Work from home | 29.1%±6.8 MA: 18.6% |
16%±6.3Lowest MA: 18.6% |
32.4%±2.4Highest MA: 18.6% |
| Needham 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 | #198 of 282 in MA | #19 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Berlin-Boylston | Hatfield | — |
| High school in town | None in town | Smith Academy | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 6.1 |
— |
| 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.