Compare towns
Berlin vs Middlesex vs Putney vs Springfield
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%).
Putney has the most renters (27.2% rent).
Springfield has the most expensive homes ($384k 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 | Middlesex | Putney | Springfield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,880Highest |
1,943 |
2,622 |
1,122Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
-4%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 50.6±2.4 30% above U.S. |
44.4±3.9 14% above U.S. |
37.2±5.2Lowest 4% below U.S. |
51.4±8.8Highest 32% above U.S. |
| Springfield 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% |
15.4%±4.1 U.S.: 22% |
15.1%±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%±4.4Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
20.6%±3.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
18.1%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
19.8%±1.6 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Berlin and Middlesex 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% |
48.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
36.4% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.2%±2.6 U.S.: 6.4% |
20.4%±3.4Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
0%±1.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $86,691±$21k 7% above U.S. |
$109,632±$13kHighest 36% above U.S. |
$79,706±$18kLowest about the U.S. average |
$100,893±$19k 25% above U.S. |
| Middlesex and Springfield 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. |
$300,000±$44k 10% below U.S. |
$384,100±$50kHighest 15% above U.S. |
| Springfield and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,169±$171 17% below U.S. |
$1,333±$359Highest 6% below U.S. |
$508±$482Lowest 64% below U.S. |
$1,096±$217 22% below U.S. |
| Middlesex and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,418Lowest 42% above U.S. |
$6,483Highest 108% above U.S. |
$5,313 70% above U.S. |
$5,946 91% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41%±19.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
54.2%±19.4Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
25.9%±64.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Putney and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 10.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
3.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
16%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
96.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
72.8%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
90.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
1986Highest 6 yrs newer than U.S. |
1977Lowest 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1985 5 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 min 20% below U.S. |
27 min 4% above U.S. |
18 minLowest 32% below U.S. |
34 minHighest 30% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 11.7%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
28.4%±10.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
16.9%±6.5 U.S.: 15.1% |
16.7%±11.6 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Middlesex and Putney 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 | — | #32 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 | — |
| 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 | 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.