Compare towns

Berlin vs Middlesex vs Otis

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 ($274k median).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Otis has the most expensive homes ($397k 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.

MeasureBerlinMiddlesexOtis
People
Population
2,880Highest
1,943
1,624Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.3%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+1.4%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
50.6±2.4
30% above U.S.
44.4±3.9Lowest
14% above U.S.
51±3.2Highest
31% above U.S.
Otis and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.6%±4.2
U.S.: 22%
21.3%±3.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
15.1%±4.8Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Middlesex and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26.8%±4.4
U.S.: 17.2%
20.6%±3.7Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
28%±3.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Otis and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
28.5%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
54.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
39.2%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.9%±2.9
U.S.: 6.4%
5.2%±2.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.9%±2.1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Middlesex and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$86,691±$21kLowest
7% above U.S.
$109,632±$13kHighest
36% above U.S.
$108,898±$6k
35% above U.S.
Middlesex and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$273,600±$31kLowest
18% below U.S.
$376,300±$40k
13% above U.S.
$396,700±$40kHighest
19% above U.S.
Otis and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,169±$171Lowest
17% below U.S.
$1,333±$359Highest
6% below U.S.
$1,318±$924
7% below U.S.
Middlesex and Otis are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,418
42% above U.S.
$6,483Highest
108% above U.S.
$2,408Lowest
23% below U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41%±19.9
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
63.3%±100Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Otis and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
1.2%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
87.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
96.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
89.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979
1 yr older than U.S.
1986Highest
6 yrs newer than U.S.
1974Lowest
6 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
21 minLowest
20% below U.S.
27 min
4% above U.S.
34 minHighest
27% above U.S.
Work from home
11.7%±3.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
28.4%±10.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
22.3%±7.7
U.S.: 15.1%
Middlesex and Otis 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 #16 of 70 in VT — —
School district Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 Farmington River Reg
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
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.