Compare towns

Hingham vs Berlin vs Cohasset

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Hingham has the most people working from home (33.1%).
Berlin has the most affordable homes ($617k median).
Cohasset has the most expensive homes ($1319k 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.

MeasureHinghamBerlinCohasset
People
Population
24,283Highest
3,378Lowest
8,427
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+9.6%Lowest
MA: +7.4%
+10.2%
MA: +7.4%
+11.1%Highest
MA: +7.4%
Median age
48.4±2.4
21% above MA
49.7±2.8Highest
24% above MA
43.9±4.4Lowest
10% above MA
Berlin and Hingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
23.4%±2.1
MA: 19.4%
13.4%±4.5Lowest
MA: 19.4%
27.2%±4.1Highest
MA: 19.4%
Cohasset and Hingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26%±2.6
MA: 17.9%
30.1%±5.9Highest
MA: 17.9%
17.8%±2.8Lowest
MA: 17.9%
Berlin and Hingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
76.2%
MA: 47.3%
48.3%Lowest
MA: 47.3%
76.7%Highest
MA: 47.3%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.9%±0.9Lowest
MA: 7.9%
4.3%±2.5Highest
MA: 7.9%
3.8%±1.7
MA: 7.9%
Berlin and Cohasset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$178,390±$15k
72% above MA
$121,336±$12kLowest
17% above MA
$199,306±$53kHighest
92% above MA
Cohasset and Hingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$1,134,200±$47k
102% above MA
$616,600±$55kLowest
10% above MA
$1,318,900±$165kHighest
135% above MA
Cohasset and Hingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,465±$603
40% above MA
$2,420±$933Lowest
37% above MA
$2,755±$399Highest
56% above MA
Cohasset and Hingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
$7,116Lowest
19% above MA
$10,000+Highest
at least 67% above MA
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
60.3%±12Highest
MA: 51.8%
52.6%±19.7Lowest
MA: 51.8%
52.6%±15.5Lowest
MA: 51.8%
Hingham and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.3%
MA: 10%
5%Highest
MA: 10%
3%Lowest
MA: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.7%
MA: 62.5%
77.3%Lowest
MA: 62.5%
83%Highest
MA: 62.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976
12 yrs newer than MA
1992Highest
28 yrs newer than MA
1968Lowest
4 yrs newer than MA
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
36 min
24% above MA
34 minLowest
17% above MA
37 minHighest
28% above MA
Work from home
33.1%±3.3Highest
MA: 18.6%
29.1%±6.8
MA: 18.6%
25.7%±5.3Lowest
MA: 18.6%
Hingham and Berlin 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 #14 of 282 in MA #61 of 282 in MA #41 of 282 in MA
School district Hingham Berlin-Boylston Cohasset
High school in town Hingham High None in town Cohasset High School
Students per teacherat that high school
12.9Highest
—
9.0Lowest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

MA 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.