Compare towns
Berlin vs Rowley vs Upton 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%).
Rowley has the shortest commute (28 min average).
Upton has the most kids (23.2% under 18).
Northfield has the most affordable homes ($376k median).
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 | Rowley | Upton | Northfield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,378 |
6,251 |
8,189Highest |
2,872Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.2%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+5.2% MA: +7.4% |
+6.1% MA: +7.4% |
-5.5%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49.7±2.8 24% above MA |
50±6.3Highest 25% above MA |
46.4±4.8Lowest 16% above MA |
48.9±4.2 22% above MA |
| Rowley 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% |
19.3%±4.5 MA: 19.4% |
23.2%±4.5Highest MA: 19.4% |
14.8%±4.1 MA: 19.4% |
| Upton and Rowley 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% |
21.6%±4.1 MA: 17.9% |
20.7%±4.9Lowest MA: 17.9% |
25.5%±5.1 MA: 17.9% |
| Berlin and Northfield 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% |
56.8%Highest MA: 47.3% |
53.5% MA: 47.3% |
42.4%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.3%±2.5 MA: 7.9% |
4.8%±2.2Highest MA: 7.9% |
2.4%±1.3Lowest MA: 7.9% |
4.4%±3 MA: 7.9% |
| Rowley 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±$12k 17% above MA |
$132,734±$32k 28% above MA |
$155,508±$33kHighest 50% above MA |
$103,375±$10kLowest about the MA average |
| Upton and Rowley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $616,600±$55k 10% above MA |
$667,300±$52kHighest 19% above MA |
$576,700±$41k about the MA average |
$375,800±$31kLowest 33% below MA |
| Rowley and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,420±$933Highest 37% above MA |
$1,603±$520 9% below MA |
$948±$599Lowest 46% below MA |
$1,142±$200 35% below MA |
| Berlin and Rowley 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 |
$8,309 39% above MA |
$8,376Highest 40% above MA |
$4,594Lowest 23% below MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.6%±19.7 MA: 51.8% |
57.7%±27.3Highest MA: 51.8% |
52.8%±31 MA: 51.8% |
49.2%±25.9Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Rowley and Upton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5% MA: 10% |
3.1%Lowest MA: 10% |
3.2% MA: 10% |
6.8%Highest MA: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 77.3%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
81.7% MA: 62.5% |
86.7%Highest MA: 62.5% |
85.1% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1992Highest 28 yrs newer than MA |
1975 11 yrs newer than MA |
1981 17 yrs newer than MA |
1962Lowest 2 yrs older than MA |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 34 min 17% above MA |
28 minLowest 3% below MA |
35 minHighest 22% above MA |
31 min 8% above MA |
| Work from home | 29.1%±6.8Highest MA: 18.6% |
11.1%±4Lowest MA: 18.6% |
22.8%±5.3 MA: 18.6% |
16.5%±10.3 MA: 18.6% |
| Berlin and Upton 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 | #214 of 282 in MA | #46 of 282 in MA | #231 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Berlin-Boylston | Triton | Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical · Mendon-Upton | Pioneer Valley |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Blackstone Valley | Pioneer Valley Regional |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 11.2Highest |
10.7Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.