Compare towns

Leyden vs Bakersfield vs Bernardston

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Leyden has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.2%).
Bakersfield has the most affordable homes ($271k median).
Bernardston has the shortest commute (20 min average).

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.

MeasureLeydenBakersfieldBernardston
People
Population
637Lowest
1,109
2,164Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.2%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.7%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
-1.3%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
53.2±8.2Highest
37% above U.S.
46.4±8Lowest
19% above U.S.
49±3.2
26% above U.S.
Leyden and Bernardston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
13.8%±3.6
U.S.: 22%
13.6%±3.5Lowest
U.S.: 22%
17.6%±3.2Highest
U.S.: 22%
Bernardston and Leyden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
28.6%±2.7Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
21.2%±3.9Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
22.9%±2.5
U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
40%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
39.2%
U.S.: 35.7%
29.1%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0.5%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
7.5%±4.7Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.5%±2.2
U.S.: 6.4%
Bakersfield and Bernardston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$105,893±$13kHighest
31% above U.S.
$83,462±$18k
3% above U.S.
$81,940±$10kLowest
about the U.S. average
Leyden and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$372,900±$24kHighest
12% above U.S.
$271,300±$19kLowest
18% below U.S.
$332,000±$15k
about the U.S. average
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,917±$451Highest
36% above U.S.
$1,200±$327Lowest
15% below U.S.
$1,283±$553
9% below U.S.
Leyden and Bernardston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,651Highest
49% above U.S.
$3,823Lowest
23% above U.S.
$4,516
45% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
42.9%±100Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
18.8%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
41.2%±15.1
U.S.: 51.1%
Leyden and Bernardston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.8%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
7.3%
U.S.: 12.5%
5.2%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
93.4%
U.S.: 65.2%
94%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
77.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976
4 yrs older than U.S.
1982Highest
2 yrs newer than U.S.
1972Lowest
8 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 min
23% above U.S.
33 minHighest
25% above U.S.
20 minLowest
26% below U.S.
Work from home
11%±5Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
14.2%±7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
12.7%±6.6
U.S.: 15.1%
Bakersfield and Bernardston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 Pioneer Valley
High school in town — None in town None in town
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.