Compare towns

Benton vs Java vs Wethersfield vs Torrey

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New York.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Benton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.3%).
Java has the most homeowners (95.2%).
Wethersfield has the most affordable homes ($131k median).
Torrey has the most people working from home (15.4%).

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.

MeasureBentonJavaWethersfieldTorrey
People
Population
2,948Highest
2,049
815Lowest
996
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.3%Highest
NY: +4.2%
-4.1%
NY: +4.2%
-14.5%Lowest
NY: +4.2%
+1.3%
NY: +4.2%
Median age
40.6±8.4Lowest
about the NY average
44.2±5.5
11% above NY
46±4.4
16% above NY
54.1±7.7Highest
36% above NY
Torrey and Wethersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
30.1%±5.2Highest
NY: 20.5%
20.7%±4.7
NY: 20.5%
21.6%±4.3
NY: 20.5%
14.5%±4.6Lowest
NY: 20.5%
Benton and Wethersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24.8%±4.9
NY: 17.9%
19.5%±3.6
NY: 17.9%
13.1%±2.5Lowest
NY: 17.9%
27.8%±7.5Highest
NY: 17.9%
Torrey and Benton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
27.9%Highest
NY: 40.2%
24.6%
NY: 40.2%
20.3%Lowest
NY: 40.2%
26.3%
NY: 40.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.1%±1
NY: 7%
3%±2.4
NY: 7%
4.2%±3.8Highest
NY: 7%
0.9%±1Lowest
NY: 7%
Wethersfield and Java are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$74,767±$13kLowest
13% below NY
$95,129±$24k
11% above NY
$96,094±$14kHighest
12% above NY
$95,500±$16k
11% above NY
Wethersfield and Torrey are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$258,600±$51kHighest
39% below NY
$223,900±$30k
47% below NY
$131,300±$20kLowest
69% below NY
$206,000±$38k
51% below NY
Benton and Java are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,541±$628Highest
5% below NY
$863±$419Lowest
47% below NY
$916±$126
43% below NY
$1,200±$620
26% below NY
Benton and Torrey are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,391
48% below NY
$3,775Highest
43% below NY
$2,787Lowest
58% below NY
$3,250
51% below NY
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
14.5%±10.3
NY: 52.1%
2.5%±61.4Lowest
NY: 52.1%
30.2%±38.9Highest
NY: 52.1%
7.8%±40.2
NY: 52.1%
Wethersfield and Benton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
19.4%Highest
NY: 14%
3.7%Lowest
NY: 14%
9%
NY: 14%
11.2%
NY: 14%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75.9%Lowest
NY: 54.3%
95.2%Highest
NY: 54.3%
80.1%
NY: 54.3%
80.5%
NY: 54.3%
Typical home builtmedian year
1964
5 yrs newer than NY
1956Lowest
3 yrs older than NY
1977Highest
18 yrs newer than NY
1966
7 yrs newer than NY
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
23 minLowest
30% below NY
27 min
17% below NY
28 minHighest
13% below NY
26 min
22% below NY
Work from home
11.8%±5.4
NY: 14.9%
9%±4.4
NY: 14.9%
6.8%±3.4Lowest
NY: 14.9%
15.4%±9.1Highest
NY: 14.9%
Torrey and Benton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet None yet

NY 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.