Compare towns

Meriden vs Cornwall Bridge vs Berlin

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Meriden has the most affordable homes ($241k median).
Cornwall Bridge has the most people working from home (19.8%).
Berlin has the most homeowners (82.6%).

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.

MeasureMeridenCornwall BridgeBerlin
People
Population
60,545Highest
248Lowest
20,361
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
0%
CT: +0.9%
— —
Median age
38.9±1.3Lowest
5% below CT
50.4±11.4Highest
23% above CT
48.7±3
18% above CT
Cornwall Bridge and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.9%±1.6Highest
CT: 20.2%
20.2%±11.6
CT: 20.2%
19.4%±2.7Lowest
CT: 20.2%
Meriden and Cornwall Bridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
16.2%±1.2Lowest
CT: 18.5%
25%±11.4Highest
CT: 18.5%
23.5%±3.1
CT: 18.5%
Cornwall Bridge and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
22.2%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
26.2%
CT: 42.5%
44.9%Highest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.6%±0.9
CT: 7.1%
2.4%±6.7Lowest
CT: 7.1%
7.2%±1.5Highest
CT: 7.1%
Berlin and Meriden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$71,253±$4kLowest
26% below CT
—
$113,598±$11kHighest
19% above CT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$241,200±$7kLowest
34% below CT
$371,100±$64k
about the CT average
$374,600±$13kHighest
about the CT average
Berlin and Cornwall Bridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,294±$72
13% below CT
$911±$105Lowest
39% below CT
$1,402±$88Highest
6% below CT
Berlin and Meriden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,129
23% below CT
$4,107Lowest
38% below CT
$7,291Highest
10% above CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
53.4%±4.9Lowest
CT: 52.6%
89.3%±61Highest
CT: 52.6%
63.4%±11.3
CT: 52.6%
Cornwall Bridge and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
13.2%
CT: 10%
19%Highest
CT: 10%
3.4%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
60.1%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
71.8%
CT: 66.5%
82.6%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1960
7 yrs older than CT
1953Lowest
14 yrs older than CT
1972Highest
5 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
23 min
13% below CT
35 minHighest
31% above CT
21 minLowest
21% below CT
Work from home
8.6%±1.6Lowest
CT: 16%
19.8%±15.7Highest
CT: 16%
14.4%±4.6
CT: 16%
Cornwall Bridge 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 #124 of 149 in CT — #73 of 149 in CT
School district Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Meriden School District — Berlin School District
High school in town Francis T. Maloney High School — Berlin High School
Students per teacherat that high school
16.2Highest
—
11.5Lowest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

CT 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.