Compare towns
Berlin vs Needham vs Needham vs Marlborough
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).
Marlborough has the most renters (44% rent).
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 | Needham | Needham | Marlborough |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,378Lowest |
32,459 |
32,459 |
41,647Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.2% MA: +7.4% |
+11.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+11.1%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+8.6%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49.7±2.8Highest 24% above MA |
43.1±1.6 8% above MA |
43.1±1.6 8% above MA |
37.5±1.3Lowest 6% below MA |
| Kids under 18 | 13.4%±4.5Lowest MA: 19.4% |
27.5%±2.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
27.5%±2.2Highest MA: 19.4% |
20.8%±2 MA: 19.4% |
| Age 65+ | 30.1%±5.9Highest MA: 17.9% |
17.7%±1.7 MA: 17.9% |
17.7%±1.7 MA: 17.9% |
14.9%±1.5Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 48.3% MA: 47.3% |
81.9%Highest MA: 47.3% |
81.9%Highest MA: 47.3% |
40.5%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.3%±2.5 MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±1.1Highest MA: 7.9% |
5.4%±1.1Highest MA: 7.9% |
4.2%±1Lowest MA: 7.9% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $121,336±$12k 17% above MA |
$214,308±$13kHighest 106% above MA |
$214,308±$13kHighest 106% above MA |
$91,968±$9kLowest 12% below MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $616,600±$55k 10% above MA |
$1,188,500±$43kHighest 111% above MA |
$1,188,500±$43kHighest 111% above MA |
$513,100±$28kLowest 9% below MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,420±$933Highest 37% above MA |
$2,409±$183 37% above MA |
$2,409±$183 37% above MA |
$1,871±$123Lowest 6% 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 |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
$5,747Lowest 4% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.6%±19.7Lowest MA: 51.8% |
55.9%±8.5 MA: 51.8% |
55.9%±8.5 MA: 51.8% |
58.9%±6.5Highest MA: 51.8% |
| Marlborough and Needham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5% MA: 10% |
3.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
3.7%Lowest MA: 10% |
9.6%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 77.3% MA: 62.5% |
83.1%Highest MA: 62.5% |
83.1%Highest MA: 62.5% |
56%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1992Highest 28 yrs newer than MA |
1965Lowest 1 yr newer than MA |
1965Lowest 1 yr newer than MA |
1974 10 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 34 minHighest 17% above MA |
28 minLowest 5% below MA |
28 minLowest 5% below MA |
30 min about the MA average |
| Work from home | 29.1%±6.8 MA: 18.6% |
32.4%±2.4Highest MA: 18.6% |
32.4%±2.4Highest MA: 18.6% |
16.2%±2.4Lowest MA: 18.6% |
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #61 of 282 in MA | #19 of 282 in MA | #19 of 282 in MA | #215 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Berlin-Boylston | — | Needham | Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Technical · Marlborough |
| High school in town | None in town | — | Needham High | Assabet Valley Vocational High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 11.9Highest |
10.1Lowest |
| 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.