Compare towns
Chaplin vs Hampton vs Salem
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Chaplin has the most affordable homes ($255k median).
Hampton has the oldest population (median age 51.5).
Salem has the most expensive homes ($404k 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 | Chaplin | Hampton | Salem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,070 |
1,647Lowest |
4,282Highest |
| Median age | 43.7±4.8 6% above CT |
51.5±5.3Highest 25% above CT |
40.9±5.4Lowest about the CT average |
| Hampton and Chaplin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 15.7%±4.2Lowest CT: 20.2% |
19.7%±5.3 CT: 20.2% |
23.2%±5.1Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Salem and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 20.9%±4.4 CT: 18.5% |
26.1%±2.1Highest CT: 18.5% |
19.7%±4.7Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Hampton and Chaplin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 25.4%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
29.9% CT: 42.5% |
50.6%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 10.1%±6.2Highest CT: 7.1% |
1.9%±1.1Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.8%±3.3 CT: 7.1% |
| Chaplin and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $97,846±$14kLowest about the CT average |
$109,167±$19k 14% above CT |
$123,245±$8kHighest 29% above CT |
| Salem and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $255,200±$24kLowest 30% below CT |
$295,800±$27k 19% below CT |
$403,600±$33kHighest 10% above CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,473±$275Highest about the CT average |
$1,285±$288Lowest 14% below CT |
$1,440±$150 3% below CT |
| Chaplin and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,524 32% below CT |
$4,364Lowest 34% below CT |
$6,668Highest about the CT average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 33.6%±27.7 CT: 52.6% |
52.5%±51.5Highest CT: 52.6% |
32.1%±26Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Hampton and Chaplin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.4%Lowest CT: 10% |
5.7% CT: 10% |
6.2%Highest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.9%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
90%Highest CT: 66.5% |
86.6% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979Lowest 12 yrs newer than CT |
1980 13 yrs newer than CT |
1988Highest 21 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 22% above CT |
29 minLowest 9% above CT |
32 min 19% above CT |
| Work from home | 18.1%±10Highest CT: 16% |
17.7%±5.1Lowest CT: 16% |
18%±9.6 CT: 16% |
| Chaplin and Salem 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 | — | — | #11 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Chaplin School District · Regional School District 11 | Hampton School District | Salem School District |
| High school in town | Parish Hill High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 7.5 |
— | — |
| 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.