Compare towns
Berlin vs Rye vs Chester
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 shortest commute (21 min average).
Rye has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.6%).
Chester has the most affordable homes ($233k 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 | Rye | Chester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,880Lowest |
5,611Highest |
2,992 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
+4.6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-4.7%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 50.6±2.4 30% above U.S. |
55.1±3Highest 42% above U.S. |
49.7±4.7Lowest 28% 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 | 16.6%±4.2 U.S.: 22% |
18.2%±4Highest U.S.: 22% |
14.1%±4.7Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Rye and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 26.8%±4.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
31.7%±5.3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
29.8%±7.9 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Rye and Chester 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% |
61.5%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
33.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.2%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.1%±4Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Chester 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±$21k 7% above U.S. |
$140,655±$39kHighest 74% above U.S. |
$62,125±$8kLowest 23% below U.S. |
| Rye and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $273,600±$31k 18% below U.S. |
$1,028,100±$89kHighest 209% above U.S. |
$232,900±$44kLowest 30% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,169±$171 17% below U.S. |
$1,781±$156Highest 26% above U.S. |
$960±$44Lowest 32% below U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,418 42% above U.S. |
$7,519Highest 141% above U.S. |
$4,262Lowest 37% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41%±19.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
44.3%±16.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
11.5%±12.3Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Rye 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% |
6.9%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
7% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
85.5%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
86.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979Highest 1 yr older than U.S. |
1972Lowest 8 yrs older than U.S. |
1972Lowest 8 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 20% below U.S. |
29 minHighest 9% above U.S. |
28 min 5% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 11.7%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
30.9%±7.6Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
14%±6.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #16 of 70 in VT | #2 of 120 in NH | #49 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Rye School District | Green Mountain Unified School District #77 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Green Mountain Union High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 8.7 |
| 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.