Compare towns
Paxton vs Berlin vs Princeton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Paxton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.1%).
Berlin has the most affordable homes ($274k median).
Princeton has the most kids (22.2% 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 | Paxton | Berlin | Princeton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 5,002Highest |
2,880Lowest |
3,529 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.1%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-1.3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.4% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 41.8±3.3Lowest 7% above U.S. |
50.6±2.4Highest 30% above U.S. |
46.1±7 19% above U.S. |
| Berlin and Princeton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 17.4%±3.6 U.S.: 22% |
16.6%±4.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
22.2%±4.6Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Princeton and Paxton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 18.4%±3.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
26.8%±4.4Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
20.9%±3.6 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Berlin and Princeton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 54.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
28.5%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
59.4%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 15.9%±1.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.9%±2.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
1.9%±1.2Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $134,083±$8k 66% above U.S. |
$86,691±$21kLowest 7% above U.S. |
$158,750±$46kHighest 97% above U.S. |
| Princeton and Paxton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $472,300±$29k 42% above U.S. |
$273,600±$31kLowest 18% below U.S. |
$520,500±$48kHighest 56% above U.S. |
| Princeton and Paxton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,386±$88Highest about the U.S. average |
$1,169±$171 17% below U.S. |
$897±$852Lowest 37% below U.S. |
| Paxton and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,129Highest 129% above U.S. |
$4,418Lowest 42% above U.S. |
$6,633 113% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 26.2%±15.7Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
41%±19.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
69.8%±46.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Princeton and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 1.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
10.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
4.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 91.8% U.S.: 65.2% |
87.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
94.3%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967Lowest 13 yrs older than U.S. |
1979Highest 1 yr older than U.S. |
1975 5 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 31 min 16% above U.S. |
21 minLowest 20% below U.S. |
37 minHighest 38% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 25.5%±5.1 U.S.: 15.1% |
11.7%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
29.5%±6.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Princeton and Paxton 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 | #219 of 282 in MA | #16 of 70 in VT | #59 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Wachusett | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Wachusett |
| High school in town | None 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.