Compare towns
Bethlehem vs Suffield vs Willimantic vs Chester
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Suffield has the most homeowners (86.7%).
Willimantic has the most affordable homes ($191k median).
Chester has the most expensive homes ($442k 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 | Suffield | Willimantic | Chester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,423Lowest |
15,702 |
18,096Highest |
3,825 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | — | +2.3% CT: +0.9% |
— |
| Median age | 51.5±8.5 25% above CT |
44.5±1.7 8% above CT |
31.3±2.7Lowest 24% below CT |
54±3.4Highest 31% above CT |
| Chester 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% |
16.2%±2Lowest CT: 20.2% |
20.6%±2.5Highest CT: 20.2% |
17.5%±4.9 CT: 20.2% |
| Willimantic and Chester 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% |
18.4%±2.2 CT: 18.5% |
11%±1.7Lowest CT: 18.5% |
26.8%±4Highest CT: 18.5% |
| Chester 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% CT: 42.5% |
40.4% CT: 42.5% |
24.2%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
47.9%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.5%±3.1 CT: 7.1% |
4.4%±1.2 CT: 7.1% |
19.1%±2.1Highest CT: 7.1% |
4%±2.9Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $108,929±$16k 14% above CT |
$119,472±$13kHighest 25% above CT |
$45,962±$7kLowest 52% below CT |
$109,191±$18k 14% above CT |
| Suffield and Chester 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 |
$407,500±$26k 11% above CT |
$190,900±$17kLowest 48% below CT |
$442,200±$25kHighest 21% above CT |
| Chester and Bethlehem 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 |
$1,424±$141 4% below CT |
$1,063±$68Lowest 29% below CT |
$1,549±$247Highest 4% above CT |
| Chester and Suffield 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 |
$6,456Highest about the CT average |
$4,678Lowest 30% below CT |
$6,364 4% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 69.7%±38.5Highest CT: 52.6% |
51%±4.6Lowest CT: 52.6% |
55.9%±8.1 CT: 52.6% |
57.4%±22.1 CT: 52.6% |
| Bethlehem and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 10.4% CT: 10% |
4.6%Lowest CT: 10% |
23.4%Highest CT: 10% |
11.8% CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 70.2% CT: 66.5% |
86.7%Highest CT: 66.5% |
34.9%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
73.2% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 9 yrs newer than CT |
1979Highest 12 yrs newer than CT |
1953Lowest 14 yrs older than CT |
1969 2 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 29 minHighest 9% above CT |
26 min 3% below CT |
23 minLowest 12% below CT |
28 min 7% above CT |
| Work from home | 13.9%±5 CT: 16% |
18.4%±4.1Highest CT: 16% |
6.2%±2Lowest CT: 16% |
18.3%±5.6 CT: 16% |
| Suffield and Chester 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 | #57 of 149 in CT | — | #8 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Regional School District 14 | Suffield School District | — | Chester School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Suffield High School | — | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 10.9 |
— | — |
| 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.