Compare towns
Hatfield vs Thompson vs Berlin vs Williamsburg
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hatfield has the shortest commute (20 min average).
Thompson has the most affordable homes ($292k median).
Berlin has the most expensive homes ($617k median).
Williamsburg has the most kids (18.6% under 18).
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 | Hatfield | Thompson | Berlin | Williamsburg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,325 |
9,337Highest |
3,378 |
2,694Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
— | +10.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+0.9%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 46.8±5Lowest 20% above U.S. |
54.1±2.2Highest 39% above U.S. |
49.7±2.8 28% above U.S. |
50±2.4 29% above U.S. |
| Thompson and Williamsburg are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 14%±4.3 U.S.: 22% |
11.4%±2.8Lowest U.S.: 22% |
13.4%±4.5 U.S.: 22% |
18.6%±4Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Williamsburg and Hatfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 23.3%±4.6 U.S.: 17.2% |
24.4%±4.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
30.1%±5.9Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
22.7%±3.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Berlin and Thompson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 48.5% U.S.: 35.7% |
21.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
48.3% U.S.: 35.7% |
60.6%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.1%±2.6 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.9%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.3%±2.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
6.2%±2.7Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Williamsburg and Hatfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $89,005±$25kLowest 10% above U.S. |
$93,629±$18k 16% above U.S. |
$121,336±$12kHighest 50% above U.S. |
$104,792±$21k 30% above U.S. |
| Berlin and Williamsburg are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $440,800±$26k 32% above U.S. |
$291,900±$24kLowest 12% below U.S. |
$616,600±$55kHighest 85% above U.S. |
$403,100±$37k 21% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,267±$216 10% below U.S. |
$1,012±$344Lowest 28% below U.S. |
$2,420±$933Highest 71% above U.S. |
$1,420±$228 about the U.S. average |
| Berlin and Williamsburg are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,930 58% above U.S. |
$3,822Lowest 23% above U.S. |
$7,116Highest 128% above U.S. |
$5,761 85% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 42.6%±11.8Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
54%±18.7 U.S.: 51.1% |
52.6%±19.7 U.S.: 51.1% |
61%±28Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Williamsburg and Thompson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
5% U.S.: 12.5% |
2.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 74.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
84.3%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
77.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
82.2% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967 13 yrs older than U.S. |
1963 17 yrs older than U.S. |
1992Highest 12 yrs newer than U.S. |
1955Lowest 25 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 20 minLowest 23% below U.S. |
32 min 20% above U.S. |
34 minHighest 29% above U.S. |
25 min 4% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 16%±6.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
13.1%±4.4Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
29.1%±6.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
26.5%±6.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Berlin and Williamsburg 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 | #198 of 282 in MA | #130 of 149 in CT | #61 of 282 in MA | — |
| School district | Hatfield | Thompson School District | Berlin-Boylston | Williamsburg |
| High school in town | Smith Academy | Tourtellotte Memorial High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 6.1Lowest |
7.9Highest |
— | — |
| 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.