Compare towns
Berlin vs Ogunquit vs Sterling vs Hatfield
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Ogunquit has grown the fastest since 2010 (+76.8%).
Sterling has the most kids (18.6% under 18).
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 | Ogunquit | Sterling | Hatfield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,378 |
1,379Lowest |
8,183Highest |
3,325 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
+76.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49.7±2.8 28% above U.S. |
62.8±4.8Highest 61% above U.S. |
51.5±1.8 32% above U.S. |
46.8±5Lowest 20% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 13.4%±4.5 U.S.: 22% |
5.7%±3.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
18.6%±4.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
14%±4.3 U.S.: 22% |
| Sterling and Hatfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 30.1%±5.9 U.S.: 17.2% |
43.6%±10.1Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
22.9%±4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
23.3%±4.6 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Ogunquit 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%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
63.5%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
48.3%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
48.5% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.3%±2.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
4.2%±2.8Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.8%±1.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.1%±2.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Hatfield and Sterling 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 50% above U.S. |
$114,259±$56k 42% above U.S. |
$129,063±$27kHighest 60% above U.S. |
$89,005±$25kLowest 10% above U.S. |
| Sterling and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $616,600±$55k 85% above U.S. |
$875,700±$79kHighest 163% above U.S. |
$498,800±$48k 50% above U.S. |
$440,800±$26kLowest 32% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,420±$933Highest 71% above U.S. |
— | $1,699±$161 20% above U.S. |
$1,267±$216Lowest 10% below U.S. |
| Berlin and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,116Highest 128% above U.S. |
$4,473Lowest 43% above U.S. |
$6,757 117% above U.S. |
$4,930 58% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.6%±19.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±61.1Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
46%±23.1 U.S.: 51.1% |
42.6%±11.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Berlin and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5% U.S.: 12.5% |
3.2%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
6% U.S.: 12.5% |
8.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 77.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
94.3%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
86.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
74.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1992Highest 12 yrs newer than U.S. |
1978 2 yrs older than U.S. |
1980 same as U.S. |
1967Lowest 13 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 34 min 29% above U.S. |
26 min about the U.S. average |
34 minHighest 30% above U.S. |
20 minLowest 23% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 29.1%±6.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
43.3%±12.4Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
18.3%±6.2 U.S.: 15.1% |
16%±6.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Ogunquit 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 | — | #135 of 282 in MA | #198 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Berlin-Boylston | — | Wachusett | Hatfield |
| High school in town | None 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 | None yet |
U.S. 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.