Compare towns
Clinton vs Unity vs Berlin vs Sterling
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Clinton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+13.4%).
Unity has the most affordable homes ($276k median).
Berlin has the most people working from home (29.1%).
Sterling has the highest household income ($129k).
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 | Clinton | Unity | Berlin | Sterling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 15,563Highest |
1,375Lowest |
3,378 |
8,183 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +13.4%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-9.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+10.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 38.6±2.7Lowest about the U.S. average |
58±4.5Highest 49% above U.S. |
49.7±2.8 28% above U.S. |
51.5±1.8 32% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 17.8%±2.5 U.S.: 22% |
12%±4.1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
13.4%±4.5 U.S.: 22% |
18.6%±4.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Sterling and Clinton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 14.5%±2.8Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
34.9%±7Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
30.1%±5.9 U.S.: 17.2% |
22.9%±4 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Unity and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 36.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
21.6%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
48.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
48.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.9%±2Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1%±0.7Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.3%±2.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
4.8%±1.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Clinton and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $89,781±$10k 11% above U.S. |
$87,500±$16kLowest 8% above U.S. |
$121,336±$12k 50% above U.S. |
$129,063±$27kHighest 60% above U.S. |
| Sterling and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $387,300±$19k 16% above U.S. |
$276,100±$29kLowest 17% below U.S. |
$616,600±$55kHighest 85% above U.S. |
$498,800±$48k 50% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,402±$76Lowest about the U.S. average |
$1,625±$804 15% above U.S. |
$2,420±$933Highest 71% above U.S. |
$1,699±$161 20% above U.S. |
| Berlin and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,654Lowest 49% above U.S. |
$5,394 73% above U.S. |
$7,116Highest 128% above U.S. |
$6,757 117% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40.3%±6.4 U.S.: 51.1% |
40%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
52.6%±19.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
46%±23.1 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Berlin and Sterling are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.6%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
6.3% U.S.: 12.5% |
5%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
6% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 54.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
94.5%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
77.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
86.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1956Lowest 24 yrs older than U.S. |
1982 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
1992Highest 12 yrs newer than U.S. |
1980 same as U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 minLowest 13% above U.S. |
35 minHighest 32% above U.S. |
34 min 29% above U.S. |
34 min 30% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 14.2%±4.2 U.S.: 15.1% |
9.5%±4Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
29.1%±6.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
18.3%±6.2 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Berlin and Sterling 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 | #246 of 282 in MA | — | #61 of 282 in MA | #135 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Clinton | Unity School District | Berlin-Boylston | Wachusett |
| High school in town | Clinton Senior High | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.8 |
— | — | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 4 photos → | 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.