Compare towns
Bethlehem vs Lyme vs Morris 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 renters (29.8% rent).
Lyme has the most expensive homes ($630k median).
Morris has the most kids (17.9% under 18).
Columbia has the most affordable homes ($362k median).
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 | Lyme | Morris | Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,423 |
2,303 |
2,164Lowest |
5,300Highest |
| Median age | 51.5±8.5 25% above CT |
55.6±3.3Highest 35% above CT |
52.8±6.5 28% above CT |
51.3±10.3Lowest 25% above CT |
| Lyme and Morris 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% |
13.1%±2.4Lowest CT: 20.2% |
17.9%±4.5Highest CT: 20.2% |
13.7%±4.3 CT: 20.2% |
| Morris and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 24.5%±5.3Lowest CT: 18.5% |
30.7%±4.5Highest CT: 18.5% |
29.3%±6.6 CT: 18.5% |
24.9%±5.4 CT: 18.5% |
| Lyme and Morris 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% |
63.5%Highest CT: 42.5% |
41.5% CT: 42.5% |
34.6%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.5%±3.1 CT: 7.1% |
2.2%±1.4Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.2%±3Highest CT: 7.1% |
4.8%±2.5 CT: 7.1% |
| Morris and Columbia are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $108,929±$16kLowest 14% above CT |
$135,000±$22kHighest 41% above CT |
$109,191±$25k 14% above CT |
$127,000±$30k 33% above CT |
| Lyme and Columbia are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $410,900±$36k 12% above CT |
$629,900±$105kHighest 72% above CT |
$396,000±$60k 8% above CT |
$361,500±$16kLowest about the CT average |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,127±$124 24% below CT |
$1,719±$1kHighest 16% above CT |
$1,204±$134 19% below CT |
$966±$304Lowest 35% below CT |
| Lyme 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 |
$7,328Highest 10% above CT |
$5,273 21% below CT |
$5,228Lowest 21% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 69.7%±38.5Highest CT: 52.6% |
32.9%±44.3 CT: 52.6% |
57.1%±31.9 CT: 52.6% |
17.6%±16.2Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Bethlehem and Morris 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% |
2.9%Lowest CT: 10% |
6.8% CT: 10% |
6.1% CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 70.2%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
90.8%Highest CT: 66.5% |
89.4% CT: 66.5% |
83.3% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 9 yrs newer than CT |
1967Lowest same as CT |
1967Lowest same as CT |
1984Highest 17 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 29 minLowest 9% above CT |
31 min 17% above CT |
29 min 11% above CT |
32 minHighest 21% above CT |
| Work from home | 13.9%±5Lowest CT: 16% |
27.6%±10Highest CT: 16% |
18.4%±5.7 CT: 16% |
21.6%±6 CT: 16% |
| Lyme and Columbia 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 | — | — | #114 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Regional School District 14 | Regional School District 18 | Regional School District 20 | 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.