Compare towns
Sterling vs Berlin vs Ashford
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Sterling has the most kids (22.8% under 18).
Berlin has the most expensive homes ($617k median).
Ashford has the youngest population (median age 37.9).
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 | Sterling | Berlin | Ashford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,629 |
3,378Lowest |
4,226Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | +10.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
— |
| Median age | 39.4±5.9 about the U.S. average |
49.7±2.8Highest 28% above U.S. |
37.9±10.3Lowest about the U.S. average |
| Kids under 18 | 22.8%±5.9Highest U.S.: 22% |
13.4%±4.5Lowest U.S.: 22% |
18.5%±5.5 U.S.: 22% |
| Sterling and Ashford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 13%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
30.1%±5.9Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
18.9%±3.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 18%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
48.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
35.3% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.7%±1.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.3%±2.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
4.4%±1.7Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Ashford and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $102,695±$12kLowest 27% above U.S. |
$121,336±$12k 50% above U.S. |
$121,926±$23kHighest 51% above U.S. |
| Ashford and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $283,400±$17kLowest 15% below U.S. |
$616,600±$55kHighest 85% above U.S. |
$334,800±$18k about the U.S. average |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $2,420±$933Highest 71% above U.S. |
$1,246±$208Lowest 12% below U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,551Lowest 46% above U.S. |
$7,116Highest 128% above U.S. |
$6,982 124% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 32%±18.1Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
52.6%±19.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
47%±26 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Berlin and Ashford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.3%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 81.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
77.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
76.8%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1992Highest 12 yrs newer than U.S. |
1982Lowest 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 35 minHighest 34% above U.S. |
34 minLowest 29% above U.S. |
34 min 30% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 11.6%±6.4Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
29.1%±6.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
19.3%±5.5 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Berlin and Ashford 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 | #119 of 149 in CT | #61 of 282 in MA | #90 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Sterling School District | Berlin-Boylston | Ashford School District |
| 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.