Compare towns
Bethlehem vs Salisbury 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
Salisbury has the most expensive homes ($764k median).
Morris has the most homeowners (89.4%).
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 | Salisbury | Morris | Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,423 |
4,224 |
2,164Lowest |
5,300Highest |
| Median age | 51.5±8.5 25% above CT |
44.2±9.9Lowest 8% above CT |
52.8±6.5Highest 28% above CT |
51.3±10.3 25% above CT |
| Morris 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% |
19.2%±6.9Highest CT: 20.2% |
17.9%±4.5 CT: 20.2% |
13.7%±4.3Lowest CT: 20.2% |
| Salisbury and Morris 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% |
28.1%±5.1 CT: 18.5% |
29.3%±6.6Highest CT: 18.5% |
24.9%±5.4 CT: 18.5% |
| Morris and Salisbury 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% |
58.8%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% |
2.9%±2.1Lowest 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 |
$124,256±$26k 30% above CT |
$109,191±$25k 14% above CT |
$127,000±$30kHighest 33% above CT |
| Columbia and Salisbury 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 |
$763,700±$121kHighest 108% above CT |
$396,000±$60k 8% above CT |
$361,500±$16kLowest about the CT average |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,127±$124 24% below CT |
$1,846±$736Highest 24% above CT |
$1,204±$134 19% below CT |
$966±$304Lowest 35% below CT |
| Salisbury and Morris 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 |
$5,125Lowest 23% below CT |
$5,273 21% below CT |
$5,228 21% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 69.7%±38.5Highest CT: 52.6% |
23.2%±11.8 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% |
4.2%Lowest CT: 10% |
6.8% CT: 10% |
6.1% CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 70.2% CT: 66.5% |
68.2%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
89.4%Highest 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 min 9% above CT |
20 minLowest 25% below CT |
29 min 11% above CT |
32 minHighest 21% above CT |
| Work from home | 13.9%±5Lowest CT: 16% |
28%±8Highest CT: 16% |
18.4%±5.7 CT: 16% |
21.6%±6 CT: 16% |
| Salisbury 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 | #19 of 149 in CT | — | #114 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Regional School District 14 | Salisbury School District | 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.