Compare towns
Ashford vs Bethlehem vs Salem
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Ashford has the most affordable homes ($335k median).
Bethlehem has the oldest population (median age 51.5).
Salem has the most kids (23.2% 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 | Ashford | Bethlehem | Salem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,226 |
3,423Lowest |
4,282Highest |
| Median age | 37.9±10.3Lowest 8% below CT |
51.5±8.5Highest 25% above CT |
40.9±5.4 about the CT average |
| Bethlehem and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 18.5%±5.5 CT: 20.2% |
16.3%±4Lowest CT: 20.2% |
23.2%±5.1Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Salem and Ashford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 18.9%±3.7Lowest CT: 18.5% |
24.5%±5.3Highest CT: 18.5% |
19.7%±4.7 CT: 18.5% |
| Bethlehem and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 35.3%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
39.2% CT: 42.5% |
50.6%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.4%±1.7Lowest CT: 7.1% |
4.5%±3.1 CT: 7.1% |
5.8%±3.3Highest CT: 7.1% |
| Salem and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $121,926±$23k 27% above CT |
$108,929±$16kLowest 14% above CT |
$123,245±$8kHighest 29% above CT |
| Salem and Ashford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $334,800±$18kLowest 9% below CT |
$410,900±$36kHighest 12% above CT |
$403,600±$33k 10% above CT |
| Bethlehem and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,246±$208 16% below CT |
$1,127±$124Lowest 24% below CT |
$1,440±$150Highest 3% below CT |
| Salem and Ashford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,982Highest 5% above CT |
$5,932Lowest 11% below CT |
$6,668 about the CT average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 47%±26 CT: 52.6% |
69.7%±38.5Highest CT: 52.6% |
32.1%±26Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Bethlehem and Ashford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.4%Lowest CT: 10% |
10.4%Highest CT: 10% |
6.2% CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 76.8% CT: 66.5% |
70.2%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
86.6%Highest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982 15 yrs newer than CT |
1976Lowest 9 yrs newer than CT |
1988Highest 21 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 34 minHighest 30% above CT |
29 minLowest 9% above CT |
32 min 19% above CT |
| Work from home | 19.3%±5.5Highest CT: 16% |
13.9%±5Lowest CT: 16% |
18%±9.6 CT: 16% |
| Ashford and Salem 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 | #90 of 149 in CT | #82 of 149 in CT | #11 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Ashford School District | Regional School District 14 | Salem 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 |
CT 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.