Compare towns

Canton vs Hamden vs Putnam vs Burlington

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Canton has the oldest population (median age 45.3).
Hamden has the shortest commute (22 min average).
Putnam has the most affordable homes ($269k median).
Burlington has the highest household income ($165k).

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.

MeasureCantonHamdenPutnamBurlington
People
Population
10,144
61,045Highest
9,292Lowest
9,680
Median age
45.3±5.2Highest
10% above CT
38.7±0.9Lowest
6% below CT
43.7±3
6% above CT
39.9±2.4
about the CT average
Canton and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
22.6%±4
CT: 20.2%
17%±1.5Lowest
CT: 20.2%
18.6%±3.6
CT: 20.2%
25.9%±3.3Highest
CT: 20.2%
Burlington and Canton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
23.5%±4.2Highest
CT: 18.5%
18.1%±1.3
CT: 18.5%
18.5%±3.1
CT: 18.5%
13.7%±1.9Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Canton and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
57.2%Highest
CT: 42.5%
47.8%
CT: 42.5%
20%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
50.8%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.9%±1.4Lowest
CT: 7.1%
15%±1.1Highest
CT: 7.1%
3.9%±1.4
CT: 7.1%
7.5%±2
CT: 7.1%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$117,991±$20k
23% above CT
$98,306±$7k
about the CT average
$70,561±$7kLowest
26% below CT
$165,120±$13kHighest
72% above CT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$395,300±$24k
8% above CT
$298,200±$9k
19% below CT
$269,200±$11kLowest
27% below CT
$418,700±$21kHighest
14% above CT
Burlington and Canton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,403±$358
6% below CT
$1,746±$50Highest
17% above CT
$1,149±$44Lowest
23% below CT
$1,427±$671
4% below CT
Hamden and Burlington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$7,232
9% above CT
$7,784Highest
17% above CT
$3,860Lowest
42% below CT
$7,464
12% above CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
59.9%±28.9Highest
CT: 52.6%
50.9%±5.4
CT: 52.6%
37.7%±11.6Lowest
CT: 52.6%
46.1%±15.9
CT: 52.6%
Canton and Hamden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.7%
CT: 10%
9.3%
CT: 10%
11.5%Highest
CT: 10%
2.1%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
83.7%
CT: 66.5%
62.4%
CT: 66.5%
59.8%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
94.6%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976
9 yrs newer than CT
1964
3 yrs older than CT
1961Lowest
6 yrs older than CT
1981Highest
14 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 min
9% above CT
22 minLowest
18% below CT
25 min
6% below CT
29 minHighest
9% above CT
Work from home
24.8%±6.1
CT: 16%
16.3%±2.1
CT: 16%
9%±2.8Lowest
CT: 16%
25%±4.1Highest
CT: 16%
Burlington and Canton 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 #22 of 149 in CT #122 of 149 in CT #128 of 149 in CT #58 of 149 in CT
School district Canton School District Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Area Cooperative Educational Services Putnam School District Regional School District 10
High school in town Canton High School Hamden High School Putnam High School Lewis S. Mills High School
Students per teacherat that high school
9.6
13.5Highest
9.5Lowest
11.4
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.