Compare towns

Chaplin vs Norwalk vs Windham

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 homeowners (82.9%).
Norwalk has the most expensive homes ($558k median).
Windham has the most affordable homes ($210k 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.

MeasureChaplinNorwalkWindham
People
Population
2,070Lowest
92,187Highest
23,961
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
+6.5%
CT: +0.9%
—
Median age
43.7±4.8Highest
6% above CT
40.6±1
about the CT average
33.7±1.9Lowest
18% below CT
Chaplin and Norwalk 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%
18.8%±1.2
CT: 20.2%
20.1%±2.4Highest
CT: 20.2%
Windham and Norwalk are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
20.9%±4.4Highest
CT: 18.5%
17%±1
CT: 18.5%
14.3%±1.9Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Chaplin and Norwalk are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
25.4%
CT: 42.5%
44.8%Highest
CT: 42.5%
22.7%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
10.1%±6.2
CT: 7.1%
6.7%±0.8Lowest
CT: 7.1%
15.2%±1.8Highest
CT: 7.1%
Windham and Chaplin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$97,846±$14k
about the CT average
$107,616±$7kHighest
12% above CT
$55,736±$5kLowest
42% below CT
Norwalk and Chaplin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$255,200±$24k
30% below CT
$558,000±$21kHighest
52% above CT
$209,800±$9kLowest
43% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,473±$275
about the CT average
$2,073±$87Highest
39% above CT
$1,107±$69Lowest
26% below CT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,524Lowest
32% below CT
$7,817Highest
18% above CT
$4,633
30% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
33.6%±27.7Lowest
CT: 52.6%
52.1%±5.2
CT: 52.6%
57.1%±8.1Highest
CT: 52.6%
Windham and Norwalk 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%
9.1%
CT: 10%
20.7%Highest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
82.9%Highest
CT: 66.5%
55.6%
CT: 66.5%
47.4%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979Highest
12 yrs newer than CT
1967
same as CT
1956Lowest
11 yrs older than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 minHighest
22% above CT
27 min
about the CT average
24 minLowest
8% below CT
Work from home
18.1%±10Highest
CT: 16%
15.1%±1.4
CT: 16%
6.1%±1.7Lowest
CT: 16%
Chaplin and Norwalk 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 — #112 of 149 in CT #143 of 149 in CT
School district Chaplin School District · Regional School District 11 Norwalk School District Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS
High school in town Parish Hill High School Brien McMahon High School Windham High School
Students per teacherat that high school
7.5Lowest
14.7Highest
9.8
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.