Compare towns
Benson vs Putnam vs Reading
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Benson has the most affordable homes ($242k median).
Putnam has the shortest commute (21 min average).
Reading has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.2%).
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 | Benson | Putnam | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 784Highest |
540Lowest |
699 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -7.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
-6.9% U.S.: +7.4% |
+3.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 51.9±9.4 33% above U.S. |
53.6±6.4Highest 38% above U.S. |
51.1±7.6Lowest 31% above U.S. |
| Putnam and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 16.5%±5.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
17.4%±5.2 U.S.: 22% |
18.5%±4.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Reading and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 26.9%±4.2Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
35.6%±3.4Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
28.2%±3.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 32.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
31.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
46%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7%±5.8Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±1.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.1%±2.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Benson and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $78,625±$8kLowest about the U.S. average |
$92,344±$14kHighest 14% above U.S. |
$85,000±$19k 5% above U.S. |
| Putnam and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $242,000±$26kLowest 27% below U.S. |
$266,200±$48k 20% below U.S. |
$377,200±$72kHighest 13% above U.S. |
| Reading and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,113±$170Highest 21% below U.S. |
— | $1,100±$331Lowest 22% below U.S. |
| Benson and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,125 32% above U.S. |
$3,674Lowest 18% above U.S. |
$5,754Highest 84% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.4%±35.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
63.3%±31.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Reading and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
8.4%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
95.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
84.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975Highest 5 yrs older than U.S. |
1971 9 yrs older than U.S. |
1969Lowest 11 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 20% above U.S. |
21 minLowest 19% below U.S. |
33 minHighest 25% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 18.6%±5.4 U.S.: 15.1% |
8.6%±5.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
22.9%±10.6Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Reading and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | PUTNAM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 |
| 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.