Compare towns

Bethlehem vs Killingly vs Lisbon vs Putnam

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Bethlehem has the most expensive homes ($411k median).
Killingly has the youngest population (median age 39.5).
Lisbon has the most homeowners (97.9%).
Putnam has the most renters (40.2% 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.

MeasureBethlehemKillinglyLisbonPutnam
People
Population
3,423Lowest
17,867Highest
4,211
9,292
Median age
51.5±8.5Highest
25% above CT
39.5±3Lowest
4% below CT
44.5±5.2
8% above CT
43.7±3
6% above CT
Bethlehem and Lisbon 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%
19.8%±2.3
CT: 20.2%
22.1%±6.4Highest
CT: 20.2%
18.6%±3.6
CT: 20.2%
Lisbon and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24.5%±5.3Highest
CT: 18.5%
19.7%±2.4
CT: 18.5%
21.3%±4.3
CT: 18.5%
18.5%±3.1Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Bethlehem and Lisbon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
39.2%Highest
CT: 42.5%
22.9%
CT: 42.5%
19.2%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
20%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.5%±3.1
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.9Highest
CT: 7.1%
4.2%±2.1
CT: 7.1%
3.9%±1.4Lowest
CT: 7.1%
Killingly 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±$16kHighest
14% above CT
$84,350±$8k
12% below CT
$92,708±$12k
3% below CT
$70,561±$7kLowest
26% below CT
Bethlehem and Lisbon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$410,900±$36kHighest
12% above CT
$288,600±$15k
21% below CT
$315,700±$26k
14% below CT
$269,200±$11kLowest
27% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,127±$124
24% below CT
$1,044±$141Lowest
30% below CT
—
$1,149±$44Highest
23% below CT
Putnam and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,932Highest
11% below CT
$3,922
41% below CT
$4,044
39% below CT
$3,860Lowest
42% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
69.7%±38.5
CT: 52.6%
42.8%±10.9
CT: 52.6%
100%±75.1Highest
CT: 52.6%
37.7%±11.6Lowest
CT: 52.6%
Lisbon and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.4%
CT: 10%
11.4%
CT: 10%
6.6%Lowest
CT: 10%
11.5%Highest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
70.2%
CT: 66.5%
71.6%
CT: 66.5%
97.9%Highest
CT: 66.5%
59.8%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976Highest
9 yrs newer than CT
1968
1 yr newer than CT
1976Highest
9 yrs newer than CT
1961Lowest
6 yrs older than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 min
9% above CT
28 min
5% above CT
32 minHighest
20% above CT
25 minLowest
6% below CT
Work from home
13.9%±5Highest
CT: 16%
11.1%±2.3
CT: 16%
8.3%±3.4Lowest
CT: 16%
9%±2.8
CT: 16%
Bethlehem and Killingly 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 #136 of 149 in CT #102 of 149 in CT #128 of 149 in CT
School district Regional School District 14 Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Lisbon School District Putnam School District
High school in town None in town Killingly High School None in town Putnam High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
11.1Highest
—
9.5Lowest
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.