Compare towns
Bethlehem vs Putnam vs Thompson
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).
Putnam has the youngest population (median age 43.7).
Thompson has the most homeowners (84.3%).
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 | Putnam | Thompson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,423Lowest |
9,292 |
9,337Highest |
| Median age | 51.5±8.5 25% above CT |
43.7±3Lowest 6% above CT |
54.1±2.2Highest 32% above CT |
| Thompson and Bethlehem 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% |
18.6%±3.6Highest CT: 20.2% |
11.4%±2.8Lowest CT: 20.2% |
| Putnam and Bethlehem 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% |
18.5%±3.1Lowest CT: 18.5% |
24.4%±4.3 CT: 18.5% |
| Bethlehem and Thompson 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% |
20%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
21.9% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.5%±3.1Highest CT: 7.1% |
3.9%±1.4 CT: 7.1% |
2.9%±1.3Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Bethlehem and Putnam 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 |
$70,561±$7kLowest 26% below CT |
$93,629±$18k about the CT average |
| Bethlehem and Thompson 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 |
$269,200±$11kLowest 27% below CT |
$291,900±$24k 20% below CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,127±$124 24% below CT |
$1,149±$44Highest 23% below CT |
$1,012±$344Lowest 32% 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 |
$3,860 42% below CT |
$3,822Lowest 42% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 69.7%±38.5Highest CT: 52.6% |
37.7%±11.6Lowest CT: 52.6% |
54%±18.7 CT: 52.6% |
| Bethlehem and Thompson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 10.4% CT: 10% |
11.5%Highest CT: 10% |
5.9%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 70.2% CT: 66.5% |
59.8%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
84.3%Highest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976Highest 9 yrs newer than CT |
1961Lowest 6 yrs older than CT |
1963 4 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 29 min 9% above CT |
25 minLowest 6% below CT |
32 minHighest 20% above CT |
| Work from home | 13.9%±5Highest CT: 16% |
9%±2.8Lowest CT: 16% |
13.1%±4.4 CT: 16% |
| Bethlehem and Thompson 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 | #128 of 149 in CT | #130 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Regional School District 14 | Putnam School District | Thompson School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Putnam High School | Tourtellotte Memorial High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.5Highest |
7.9Lowest |
| 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.