Compare towns

Bethany vs Monroe vs Hamden

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).
Monroe has the most kids (25.2% under 18).
Hamden has the most renters (37.6% rent).

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.

MeasureBethanyMonroeHamden
People
Population
5,288Lowest
18,949
61,045Highest
Median age
42.5±2.9
3% above CT
43.5±2.2Highest
6% above CT
38.7±0.9Lowest
6% below CT
Monroe and Bethany 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%
25.2%±3Highest
CT: 20.2%
17%±1.5Lowest
CT: 20.2%
Monroe and Bethany are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17.2%±4.2
CT: 18.5%
15.6%±2Lowest
CT: 18.5%
18.1%±1.3Highest
CT: 18.5%
Hamden and Bethany are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
58%Highest
CT: 42.5%
57.3%
CT: 42.5%
47.8%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.8%±3.7
CT: 7.1%
5.1%±1.8Lowest
CT: 7.1%
15%±1.1Highest
CT: 7.1%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$166,236±$20kHighest
74% above CT
$157,250±$12k
64% above CT
$98,306±$7kLowest
about the CT average
Bethany and Monroe 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
$503,200±$31kHighest
37% above CT
$298,200±$9kLowest
19% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$994±$860Lowest
33% below CT
$1,746±$50Highest
17% above CT
Hamden and Monroe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$8,313
25% above CT
$10,000+Highest
at least 51% above CT
$7,784Lowest
17% above CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
0%±100Lowest
CT: 52.6%
48.8%±46.4
CT: 52.6%
50.9%±5.4Highest
CT: 52.6%
Hamden and Monroe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
2.3%Lowest
CT: 10%
2.6%
CT: 10%
9.3%Highest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
97.2%Highest
CT: 66.5%
95.7%
CT: 66.5%
62.4%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1970
3 yrs newer than CT
1978Highest
11 yrs newer than CT
1964Lowest
3 yrs older than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 min
21% above CT
34 minHighest
29% above CT
22 minLowest
18% below CT
Work from home
12%±5.2Lowest
CT: 16%
15.4%±3.3
CT: 16%
16.3%±2.1Highest
CT: 16%
Hamden and Monroe 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 #48 of 149 in CT #122 of 149 in CT
School district Bethany School District · Regional School District 05 Monroe School District Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Area Cooperative Educational Services
High school in town None in town Masuk High School Hamden High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
12.8Lowest
13.5Highest
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.