Compare towns
Berlin vs Lee vs Northfield
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%).
Lee has the shortest commute (18 min average).
Northfield has the most kids (14.8% 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 | Lee | Northfield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,378 |
5,719Highest |
2,872Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.2%Highest MA: +7.4% |
-2.6% MA: +7.4% |
-5.5%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49.7±2.8 24% above MA |
55.2±5.8Highest 38% above MA |
48.9±4.2Lowest 22% 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% |
12.6%±5Lowest MA: 19.4% |
14.8%±4.1Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Northfield 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% |
33.4%±6.1Highest MA: 17.9% |
25.5%±5.1Lowest 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%Highest MA: 47.3% |
44.1% MA: 47.3% |
42.4%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.3%±2.5Lowest MA: 7.9% |
5%±2.1Highest MA: 7.9% |
4.4%±3 MA: 7.9% |
| Lee and Northfield 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 |
$83,750±$13kLowest 19% below MA |
$103,375±$10k about the MA average |
| Berlin and Northfield 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 |
$352,700±$19kLowest 37% below MA |
$375,800±$31k 33% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,420±$933Highest 37% above MA |
$1,375±$212 22% below MA |
$1,142±$200Lowest 35% 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 |
$3,980Lowest 34% below MA |
$4,594 23% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.6%±19.7 MA: 51.8% |
57.3%±21.2Highest MA: 51.8% |
49.2%±25.9Lowest 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% |
7.2%Highest MA: 10% |
6.8% MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 77.3% MA: 62.5% |
71.1%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
85.1%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1992Highest 28 yrs newer than MA |
1959Lowest 5 yrs older than MA |
1962 2 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 34 minHighest 17% above MA |
18 minLowest 38% below MA |
31 min 8% above MA |
| Work from home | 29.1%±6.8Highest MA: 18.6% |
16.4%±7.8Lowest MA: 18.6% |
16.5%±10.3 MA: 18.6% |
| 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 | #209 of 282 in MA | #231 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Berlin-Boylston | Lee | Pioneer Valley |
| High school in town | None in town | Lee Middle/High School | Pioneer Valley Regional |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.2Lowest |
10.7Highest |
| 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.