Compare towns

Tompkins vs Berlin vs Walton

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Tompkins has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.4%).
Berlin has the most expensive homes ($274k median).
Walton has the most affordable homes ($151k median).

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.

MeasureTompkinsBerlinWalton
People
Population
1,187Lowest
2,880
5,222Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.4%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-1.3%
U.S.: +7.4%
-5.5%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
57.6±5.8Highest
48% above U.S.
50.6±2.4
30% above U.S.
50±4Lowest
29% above U.S.
Tompkins and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
8.8%±1.9Lowest
U.S.: 22%
16.6%±4.2
U.S.: 22%
17.8%±4.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
Walton and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
30.6%±4.9Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
26.8%±4.4
U.S.: 17.2%
23.5%±3.9Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Tompkins and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
18.8%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
28.5%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
24.5%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.9%±2Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.9%±2.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
1.8%±1.8Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$61,103±$27k
24% below U.S.
$86,691±$21kHighest
7% above U.S.
$49,183±$15kLowest
39% below U.S.
Berlin and Tompkins are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$185,700±$23k
44% below U.S.
$273,600±$31kHighest
18% below U.S.
$151,100±$17kLowest
55% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$483±$80Lowest
66% below U.S.
$1,169±$171Highest
17% below U.S.
$818±$92
42% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,487Lowest
20% below U.S.
$4,418Highest
42% above U.S.
$2,494
20% below U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
0%±73.7Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
41%±19.9
U.S.: 51.1%
41.7%±12.9Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Walton and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
10.9%
U.S.: 12.5%
25.3%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
91.1%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
87.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
75.7%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1992Highest
12 yrs newer than U.S.
1979
1 yr older than U.S.
1954Lowest
26 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
70 minHighest
166% above U.S.
21 min
20% below U.S.
17 minLowest
34% below U.S.
Work from home
23.5%±13.3Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
11.7%±3.8
U.S.: 15.1%
10.3%±6.3Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Tompkins 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 — #16 of 70 in VT #292 of 484 in NY
School district — Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 WALTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
High school 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.