Compare towns
Bethlehem vs Chester vs Putnam vs Morris
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Chester has the most expensive homes ($442k median).
Putnam has the most affordable homes ($269k median).
Morris has the most homeowners (89.4%).
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.
| Measure | Bethlehem | Chester | Putnam | Morris |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,423 |
3,825 |
9,292Highest |
2,164Lowest |
| Median age | 51.5±8.5 25% above CT |
54±3.4Highest 31% above CT |
43.7±3Lowest 6% above CT |
52.8±6.5 28% above CT |
| Chester and Morris are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 16.3%±4Lowest CT: 20.2% |
17.5%±4.9 CT: 20.2% |
18.6%±3.6Highest CT: 20.2% |
17.9%±4.5 CT: 20.2% |
| Putnam and Morris are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 24.5%±5.3 CT: 18.5% |
26.8%±4 CT: 18.5% |
18.5%±3.1Lowest CT: 18.5% |
29.3%±6.6Highest CT: 18.5% |
| Morris and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 39.2% CT: 42.5% |
47.9%Highest CT: 42.5% |
20%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
41.5% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.5%±3.1 CT: 7.1% |
4%±2.9 CT: 7.1% |
3.9%±1.4Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.2%±3Highest CT: 7.1% |
| Morris and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $108,929±$16k 14% above CT |
$109,191±$18kHighest 14% above CT |
$70,561±$7kLowest 26% below CT |
$109,191±$25kHighest 14% above CT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $410,900±$36k 12% above CT |
$442,200±$25kHighest 21% above CT |
$269,200±$11kLowest 27% below CT |
$396,000±$60k 8% above CT |
| Chester and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,127±$124Lowest 24% below CT |
$1,549±$247Highest 4% above CT |
$1,149±$44 23% below CT |
$1,204±$134 19% below CT |
| Chester and Morris are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,932 11% below CT |
$6,364Highest 4% below CT |
$3,860Lowest 42% below CT |
$5,273 21% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 69.7%±38.5Highest CT: 52.6% |
57.4%±22.1 CT: 52.6% |
37.7%±11.6Lowest CT: 52.6% |
57.1%±31.9 CT: 52.6% |
| Bethlehem and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 10.4% CT: 10% |
11.8%Highest CT: 10% |
11.5% CT: 10% |
6.8%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 70.2% CT: 66.5% |
73.2% CT: 66.5% |
59.8%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
89.4%Highest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976Highest 9 yrs newer than CT |
1969 2 yrs newer than CT |
1961Lowest 6 yrs older than CT |
1967 same as CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 29 min 9% above CT |
28 min 7% above CT |
25 minLowest 6% below CT |
29 minHighest 11% above CT |
| Work from home | 13.9%±5 CT: 16% |
18.3%±5.6 CT: 16% |
9%±2.8Lowest CT: 16% |
18.4%±5.7Highest CT: 16% |
| Morris and Chester 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 | #82 of 149 in CT | #8 of 149 in CT | #128 of 149 in CT | — |
| School district | Regional School District 14 | Chester School District | Putnam School District | Regional School District 20 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Putnam High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 9.5 |
— |
| 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.