Berlin vs Bolton
You are paying about $200k more for a 4BR in Bolton, and in exchange you get the stronger schools. That is the trade in plain terms: $200k for one tier of schooling.
On tax, look past the rate: Berlin works out roughly $5,600 a year cheaper on its own median 4BR.
Choose Berlin if you want the lower price.
All Berlin numbers →Choose Bolton if you want the stronger schools of the two, or the commute matters most.
All Bolton numbers →Side by side
The better of the two is highlighted on each row. Where a row is not highlighted, the two are close enough that calling a winner would be false precision.
| Berlin | Bolton | |
|---|---|---|
| School tier | solid schoolsT3 | strong schoolsT2 |
| MCAS percentile | 82nd | 82nd |
| Niche district rank | 82nd of 236 | 49th of 236 |
| 4BR house | $750kT2 | $950kT3 |
| 2BR condo | $425k | $535k |
| Commute to Boston | 68 minT4 | 65 minT4 |
| MBTA rail | No MBTA rail | No MBTA rail |
| Tax rate | $13.50T3 | $16.50T4 |
| Est. tax bill on that 4BR | ≈$10,100 | ≈$15,700 |
| 3BR rent | $3,080/mo | $2,993/mo |
Prices are estimates calibrated to the Zillow Home Value Index and Redfin; tax rates are FY2026 residential rates and the bill applies that rate to the town’s own median 4BR estimate; commutes take the rail leg from the MBTA timetable and still model the drive; rents are HUD FY2026 Small Area Fair Market Rents. School tiers are editorial and shown next to the state’s own MCAS figures. Data last reviewed — see the methodology. This comparison never uses demographics as an input.
