Compare towns
Berlin vs Hingham vs Williamsburg vs Hatfield
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%).
Hingham has the most expensive homes ($1134k median).
Williamsburg has the most affordable homes ($403k median).
Hatfield has the shortest commute (20 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 | Hingham | Williamsburg | Hatfield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,378 |
24,283Highest |
2,694Lowest |
3,325 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.2%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+9.6% MA: +7.4% |
+0.9%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+2.2% MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49.7±2.8 24% above MA |
48.4±2.4 21% above MA |
50±2.4Highest 25% above MA |
46.8±5Lowest 17% above MA |
| Williamsburg 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 MA: 19.4% |
23.4%±2.1Highest MA: 19.4% |
18.6%±4 MA: 19.4% |
14%±4.3 MA: 19.4% |
| Hingham and Williamsburg 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% |
26%±2.6 MA: 17.9% |
22.7%±3.5Lowest MA: 17.9% |
23.3%±4.6 MA: 17.9% |
| Berlin and Hingham 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% |
76.2%Highest MA: 47.3% |
60.6% MA: 47.3% |
48.5% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.3%±2.5 MA: 7.9% |
2.9%±0.9Lowest MA: 7.9% |
6.2%±2.7Highest MA: 7.9% |
5.1%±2.6 MA: 7.9% |
| Williamsburg 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 |
$178,390±$15kHighest 72% above MA |
$104,792±$21k about the MA average |
$89,005±$25kLowest 14% below MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $616,600±$55k 10% above MA |
$1,134,200±$47kHighest 102% above MA |
$403,100±$37kLowest 28% below MA |
$440,800±$26k 22% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,420±$933 37% above MA |
$2,465±$603Highest 40% above MA |
$1,420±$228 19% below MA |
$1,267±$216Lowest 28% below MA |
| Hingham and Berlin 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 |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$5,761 4% below MA |
$4,930Lowest 18% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.6%±19.7 MA: 51.8% |
60.3%±12 MA: 51.8% |
61%±28Highest MA: 51.8% |
42.6%±11.8Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Williamsburg and Hingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5% MA: 10% |
4.3% MA: 10% |
2.3%Lowest MA: 10% |
8.9%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 77.3% MA: 62.5% |
80.7% MA: 62.5% |
82.2%Highest MA: 62.5% |
74.6%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1992Highest 28 yrs newer than MA |
1976 12 yrs newer than MA |
1955Lowest 9 yrs older than MA |
1967 3 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 34 min 17% above MA |
36 minHighest 24% above MA |
25 min 13% below MA |
20 minLowest 30% below MA |
| Work from home | 29.1%±6.8 MA: 18.6% |
33.1%±3.3Highest MA: 18.6% |
26.5%±6.7 MA: 18.6% |
16%±6.3Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Hingham 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 | #14 of 282 in MA | — | #198 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Berlin-Boylston | Hingham | Williamsburg | Hatfield |
| High school in town | None in town | Hingham High | None in town | Smith Academy |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 12.9Highest |
— | 6.1Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.