Compare towns
Berlin vs Smithfield vs Northfield
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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.2%).
Smithfield has the shortest commute (25 min average).
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 | Smithfield | Northfield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,378 |
22,233Highest |
2,872Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+3.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
-5.5%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49.7±2.8Highest 28% above U.S. |
41.8±2.6Lowest 7% above U.S. |
48.9±4.2 26% above U.S. |
| Berlin and Northfield 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% |
16.9%±2.4Highest U.S.: 22% |
14.8%±4.1 U.S.: 22% |
| Smithfield and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 30.1%±5.9Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.1%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
25.5%±5.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
| 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%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
40%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
42.4% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.3%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
16.7%±0.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.4%±3 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $121,336±$12kHighest 50% above U.S. |
$102,077±$8kLowest 26% above U.S. |
$103,375±$10k 28% above U.S. |
| 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 85% above U.S. |
$446,400±$12k 34% above U.S. |
$375,800±$31kLowest 13% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,420±$933Highest 71% above U.S. |
$1,016±$241Lowest 28% below U.S. |
$1,142±$200 19% below U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,116Highest 128% above U.S. |
$5,207 67% above U.S. |
$4,594Lowest 47% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.6%±19.7 U.S.: 51.1% |
57.1%±17.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
49.2%±25.9Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Smithfield and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
6.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
6.8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 77.3%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
81.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
85.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1992Highest 12 yrs newer than U.S. |
1976 4 yrs older than U.S. |
1962Lowest 18 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 34 minHighest 29% above U.S. |
25 minLowest 7% below U.S. |
31 min 19% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 29.1%±6.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
14%±3.1Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
16.5%±10.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
| 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 | #8 of 38 in RI | #231 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Berlin-Boylston | Smithfield | Pioneer Valley |
| High school in town | None in town | Smithfield High School | Pioneer Valley Regional |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 11.8Highest |
10.7Lowest |
| 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.