Compare towns
Natick vs Berlin vs Canton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Massachusetts.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Natick has the most expensive homes ($821k median).
Berlin has the oldest population (median age 49.7).
Canton has the most kids (22.9% 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 | Natick | Berlin | Canton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 36,873Highest |
3,378Lowest |
24,748 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +12.1% MA: +7.4% |
+10.2%Lowest MA: +7.4% |
+13%Highest MA: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.3±1.4 8% above MA |
49.7±2.8Highest 24% above MA |
42.6±2.3Lowest 7% above MA |
| Kids under 18 | 21.2%±1.9 MA: 19.4% |
13.4%±4.5Lowest MA: 19.4% |
22.9%±2.3Highest MA: 19.4% |
| Canton and Natick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 20.4%±1.9 MA: 17.9% |
30.1%±5.9Highest MA: 17.9% |
18.8%±2Lowest MA: 17.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 70.8%Highest MA: 47.3% |
48.3%Lowest MA: 47.3% |
67.5% MA: 47.3% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5%±1Highest MA: 7.9% |
4.3%±2.5Lowest MA: 7.9% |
4.5%±1 MA: 7.9% |
| Natick and Canton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $138,538±$11k 33% above MA |
$121,336±$12kLowest 17% above MA |
$143,381±$9kHighest 38% above MA |
| Canton and Natick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $821,000±$25kHighest 46% above MA |
$616,600±$55kLowest 10% above MA |
$710,600±$27k 26% above MA |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,134±$124Lowest 21% above MA |
$2,420±$933Highest 37% above MA |
$2,315±$178 31% above MA |
| Berlin and Canton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $8,914Highest 49% above MA |
$7,116 19% above MA |
$6,560Lowest 9% above MA |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.7%±6.6Lowest MA: 51.8% |
52.6%±19.7Highest MA: 51.8% |
52.4%±9.1 MA: 51.8% |
| Berlin and Canton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.8%Highest MA: 10% |
5%Lowest MA: 10% |
5.2% MA: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 68.2%Lowest MA: 62.5% |
77.3%Highest MA: 62.5% |
73.6% MA: 62.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1968Lowest 4 yrs newer than MA |
1992Highest 28 yrs newer than MA |
1980 16 yrs newer than MA |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 31 minLowest 5% above MA |
34 min 17% above MA |
36 minHighest 23% above MA |
| Work from home | 25.1%±1.9Lowest MA: 18.6% |
29.1%±6.8Highest MA: 18.6% |
25.7%±3.3 MA: 18.6% |
| Berlin and Canton 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 | #48 of 282 in MA | #61 of 282 in MA | #81 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Natick | Berlin-Boylston | Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical · Canton |
| High school in town | Natick High | None in town | Canton High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.6Lowest |
— | 13.1Highest |
| 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.