Compare towns
Berlin vs Rye vs Bolton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Berlin has the most affordable homes ($617k median).
Rye has the most expensive homes ($1028k median).
Bolton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+15.7%).
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 | Rye | Bolton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,378Lowest |
5,611 |
5,737Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
+4.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+15.7%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49.7±2.8 28% above U.S. |
55.1±3Highest 42% above U.S. |
41.2±1.7Lowest 6% above U.S. |
| Rye 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 U.S.: 22% |
18.2%±4 U.S.: 22% |
25%±3.9Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Bolton and Rye 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% |
31.7%±5.3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
15.7%±3.2Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Rye 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% |
61.5% U.S.: 35.7% |
81.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.3%±2.5Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.2%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.6%±1.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Berlin and Bolton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $121,336±$12kLowest 50% above U.S. |
$140,655±$39k 74% above U.S. |
$205,449±$31kHighest 154% above U.S. |
| Bolton and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $616,600±$55kLowest 85% above U.S. |
$1,028,100±$89kHighest 209% above U.S. |
$796,000±$49k 139% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,420±$933Highest 71% above U.S. |
$1,781±$156 26% above U.S. |
$1,583±$1kLowest 12% above U.S. |
| Berlin and Rye are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,116Lowest 128% above U.S. |
$7,519 141% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.6%±19.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
44.3%±16.1 U.S.: 51.1% |
12.7%±45.6Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Berlin and Rye 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% |
6.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
2.9%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 77.3%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
85.5% U.S.: 65.2% |
94.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1992Highest 12 yrs newer than U.S. |
1972Lowest 8 yrs older than U.S. |
1988 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 34 min 29% above U.S. |
29 minLowest 9% above U.S. |
37 minHighest 39% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 29.1%±6.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
30.9%±7.6 U.S.: 15.1% |
40.5%±6.9Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Bolton and Rye 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 | #2 of 120 in NH | #28 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Berlin-Boylston | Rye School District | Nashoba |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Nashoba Regional |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 12.0 |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.