Compare towns
Methuen vs Berlin vs Andover
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Methuen has the most affordable homes ($500k median).
Berlin has the oldest population (median age 49.7).
Andover has the highest household income ($173k).
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 | Methuen | Berlin | Andover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 53,475Highest |
3,378Lowest |
36,652 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | +10.2%Highest MA: +7.4% |
+10.1%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 39.9±1.7Lowest about the MA average |
49.7±2.8Highest 24% above MA |
42.9±1 7% above MA |
| Kids under 18 | 21.3%±1.7 MA: 19.4% |
13.4%±4.5Lowest MA: 19.4% |
23.6%±1.8Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Andover and Methuen are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 17.2%±1.3 MA: 17.9% |
30.1%±5.9Highest MA: 17.9% |
16%±1.3Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 31%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
48.3% MA: 47.3% |
75.6%Highest MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.7%±1 MA: 7.9% |
4.3%±2.5Lowest MA: 7.9% |
8.1%±0.8Highest MA: 7.9% |
| Andover and Methuen are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $113,310±$7kLowest 9% above MA |
$121,336±$12k 17% above MA |
$172,606±$16kHighest 66% above MA |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $499,700±$17kLowest 11% below MA |
$616,600±$55k 10% above MA |
$855,600±$22kHighest 52% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,749±$91Lowest about the MA average |
$2,420±$933Highest 37% above MA |
$2,201±$129 25% above MA |
| Berlin and Andover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,061Lowest 16% below MA |
$7,116 19% above MA |
$10,000+Highest at least 67% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 48.4%±6.5 MA: 51.8% |
52.6%±19.7Highest MA: 51.8% |
39.7%±7.7Lowest MA: 51.8% |
| Berlin and Methuen are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.9%Highest MA: 10% |
5% MA: 10% |
2.9%Lowest MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 72.3%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
77.3% MA: 62.5% |
79.9%Highest MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1968Lowest 4 yrs newer than MA |
1992Highest 28 yrs newer than MA |
1973 9 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minLowest 5% below MA |
34 minHighest 17% above MA |
29 min about the MA average |
| Work from home | 12.2%±2.3Lowest MA: 18.6% |
29.1%±6.8 MA: 18.6% |
30.4%±2.1Highest MA: 18.6% |
| Andover 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 | #236 of 282 in MA | #61 of 282 in MA | #68 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Methuen | Berlin-Boylston | Andover · Greater Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical |
| High school in town | Methuen High | None in town | Gr Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 13.1Highest |
— | 12.8Lowest |
| 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.