Compare towns

Bethany vs Cheshire vs Killingly vs Durham

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Bethany has the highest household income ($166k).
Cheshire has the most kids (21.9% under 18).
Killingly has the most affordable homes ($289k median).
Durham has the shortest commute (23 min average).

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.

MeasureBethanyCheshireKillinglyDurham
People
Population
5,288Lowest
29,040Highest
17,867
7,208
Median age
42.5±2.9
3% above CT
44.9±1.4
9% above CT
39.5±3Lowest
4% below CT
45.5±2.8Highest
11% above CT
Durham and Cheshire are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.3%±5.9
CT: 20.2%
21.9%±2.3Highest
CT: 20.2%
19.8%±2.3
CT: 20.2%
16.4%±3.6Lowest
CT: 20.2%
Cheshire and Bethany are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17.2%±4.2Lowest
CT: 18.5%
21.3%±1.8Highest
CT: 18.5%
19.7%±2.4
CT: 18.5%
17.4%±3.7
CT: 18.5%
Cheshire and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
58%
CT: 42.5%
60.7%Highest
CT: 42.5%
22.9%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
47.9%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.8%±3.7Highest
CT: 7.1%
4.5%±1.1
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.9
CT: 7.1%
3.6%±1.5Lowest
CT: 7.1%
Bethany and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$166,236±$20kHighest
74% above CT
$146,528±$12k
53% above CT
$84,350±$8kLowest
12% below CT
$158,857±$7k
66% above CT
Bethany and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$418,000±$42k
14% above CT
$440,000±$17kHighest
20% above CT
$288,600±$15kLowest
21% below CT
$424,800±$23k
16% above CT
Cheshire and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$1,398±$116Highest
6% below CT
$1,044±$141Lowest
30% below CT
$1,154±$448
22% below CT
Cheshire and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$8,313Highest
25% above CT
$7,755
17% above CT
$3,922Lowest
41% below CT
$7,998
20% above CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
0%±100Lowest
CT: 52.6%
44.9%±6.3Highest
CT: 52.6%
42.8%±10.9
CT: 52.6%
44.9%±28.4Highest
CT: 52.6%
Below poverty line
2.3%Lowest
CT: 10%
5%
CT: 10%
11.4%Highest
CT: 10%
3.4%
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
97.2%Highest
CT: 66.5%
86.6%
CT: 66.5%
71.6%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
93.2%
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1970
3 yrs newer than CT
1974
7 yrs newer than CT
1968Lowest
1 yr newer than CT
1976Highest
9 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 minHighest
21% above CT
29 min
9% above CT
28 min
5% above CT
23 minLowest
13% below CT
Work from home
12%±5.2
CT: 16%
19.1%±2.7
CT: 16%
11.1%±2.3Lowest
CT: 16%
20.5%±6.4Highest
CT: 16%
Durham and Cheshire 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 #30 of 149 in CT #18 of 149 in CT #136 of 149 in CT #88 of 149 in CT
School district Bethany School District · Regional School District 05 Cheshire School District Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Regional School District 13
High school in town None in town Cheshire High School Killingly High School Coginchaug Regional High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
11.6Highest
11.1
8.9Lowest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet 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.