Compare towns
Bethlehem vs Lisbon vs Sprague vs Columbia
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).
Lisbon has the most kids (22.1% under 18).
Sprague has the most affordable homes ($274k median).
Columbia has the most people working from home (21.6%).
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 | Lisbon | Sprague | Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,423 |
4,211 |
2,962Lowest |
5,300Highest |
| Median age | 51.5±8.5Highest 25% above CT |
44.5±5.2Lowest 8% above CT |
48.5±10.7 18% above CT |
51.3±10.3 25% above CT |
| Bethlehem and Columbia are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 16.3%±4 CT: 20.2% |
22.1%±6.4Highest CT: 20.2% |
17.1%±5.4 CT: 20.2% |
13.7%±4.3Lowest CT: 20.2% |
| Lisbon and Sprague 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% |
21.3%±4.3 CT: 18.5% |
19.9%±3.9Lowest CT: 18.5% |
24.9%±5.4Highest CT: 18.5% |
| Columbia and Bethlehem 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% |
19.2%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
19.2%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
34.6% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.5%±3.1 CT: 7.1% |
4.2%±2.1 CT: 7.1% |
0.6%±0.6Lowest CT: 7.1% |
4.8%±2.5Highest CT: 7.1% |
| Columbia 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 |
$92,708±$12kLowest 3% below CT |
$92,850±$11k 3% below CT |
$127,000±$30kHighest 33% above CT |
| Columbia and Bethlehem 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 |
$315,700±$26k 14% below CT |
$273,500±$17kLowest 25% below CT |
$361,500±$16k about the CT average |
| Bethlehem and Columbia are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,127±$124 24% below CT |
— | $1,247±$144Highest 16% below CT |
$966±$304Lowest 35% below CT |
| Sprague 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 |
$4,044Lowest 39% below CT |
$4,668 30% below CT |
$5,228 21% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 69.7%±38.5 CT: 52.6% |
100%±75.1Highest CT: 52.6% |
26.9%±12.2 CT: 52.6% |
17.6%±16.2Lowest 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%Highest CT: 10% |
6.6% CT: 10% |
8.1% CT: 10% |
6.1%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 70.2% CT: 66.5% |
97.9%Highest CT: 66.5% |
67.2%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
83.3% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 9 yrs newer than CT |
1976 9 yrs newer than CT |
1959Lowest 8 yrs older than CT |
1984Highest 17 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 29 minLowest 9% above CT |
32 min 20% above CT |
30 min 12% above CT |
32 minHighest 21% above CT |
| Work from home | 13.9%±5 CT: 16% |
8.3%±3.4 CT: 16% |
5%±2.9Lowest CT: 16% |
21.6%±6Highest CT: 16% |
| Columbia and Bethlehem 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 | #102 of 149 in CT | #141 of 149 in CT | #114 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Regional School District 14 | Lisbon School District | Sprague School District | Columbia School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| 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.