Compare towns

Berlin vs Hatfield vs Washington

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 shortest commute (20 min average).
Washington has the most homeowners (92.5%).

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.

MeasureBerlinHatfieldWashington
People
Population
3,378Highest
3,325
526Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+10.2%Highest
MA: +7.4%
+2.2%
MA: +7.4%
-8.2%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
49.7±2.8
24% above MA
46.8±5Lowest
17% above MA
56.5±7.7Highest
41% above MA
Washington 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%
13.3%±5.9Lowest
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%
35.4%±1.5Highest
MA: 17.9%
Washington 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%
32.1%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.3%±2.5
MA: 7.9%
5.1%±2.6Highest
MA: 7.9%
2.3%±1.8Lowest
MA: 7.9%
Hatfield 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
$89,005±$25kLowest
14% below MA
$95,278±$12k
8% below MA
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$616,600±$55kHighest
10% above MA
$440,800±$26k
22% below MA
$370,700±$32kLowest
34% below MA
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,420±$933Highest
37% above MA
$1,267±$216Lowest
28% below MA
—
Property taxmedian, yearly
$7,116Highest
19% above MA
$4,930
18% below MA
$4,381Lowest
27% below MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
52.6%±19.7Highest
MA: 51.8%
42.6%±11.8
MA: 51.8%
0%±100Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Berlin and Hatfield 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%
2.7%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
77.3%
MA: 62.5%
74.6%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
92.5%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1992Highest
28 yrs newer than MA
1967Lowest
3 yrs newer than MA
1974
10 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 minHighest
17% above MA
20 minLowest
30% below MA
25 min
13% below MA
Work from home
29.1%±6.8Highest
MA: 18.6%
16%±6.3
MA: 18.6%
12.9%±10.3Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Berlin and Hatfield 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 —
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.