Compare towns

Chester vs Killingly vs Westbrook vs Deep River

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Chester has the highest household income ($109k).
Killingly has the most affordable homes ($289k median).
Westbrook has the shortest commute (21 min average).
Deep River has the most renters (30.8% rent).

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.

MeasureChesterKillinglyWestbrookDeep River
People
Population
3,825Lowest
17,867Highest
6,856
4,458
Median age
54±3.4
31% above CT
39.5±3Lowest
4% below CT
58.2±3.7Highest
42% above CT
46.2±5.6
12% above CT
Westbrook and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.5%±4.9
CT: 20.2%
19.8%±2.3Highest
CT: 20.2%
9.6%±2.6Lowest
CT: 20.2%
16.6%±4.7
CT: 20.2%
Killingly and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26.8%±4
CT: 18.5%
19.7%±2.4Lowest
CT: 18.5%
36%±5.5Highest
CT: 18.5%
22.1%±4.1
CT: 18.5%
Westbrook and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
47.9%Highest
CT: 42.5%
22.9%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
41.8%
CT: 42.5%
44.6%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4%±2.9
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.9Highest
CT: 7.1%
3.4%±1.6Lowest
CT: 7.1%
3.8%±2.2
CT: 7.1%
Killingly and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$109,191±$18kHighest
14% above CT
$84,350±$8kLowest
12% below CT
$91,202±$23k
5% below CT
$90,253±$19k
6% below CT
Chester and Westbrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$442,200±$25kHighest
21% above CT
$288,600±$15kLowest
21% below CT
$434,300±$42k
18% above CT
$362,200±$26k
about the CT average
Chester and Westbrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,549±$247Highest
4% above CT
$1,044±$141Lowest
30% below CT
$1,425±$176
4% below CT
$1,221±$185
18% below CT
Chester and Westbrook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,364Highest
4% below CT
$3,922Lowest
41% below CT
$5,829
12% below CT
$6,092
8% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
57.4%±22.1
CT: 52.6%
42.8%±10.9Lowest
CT: 52.6%
53.8%±17.2
CT: 52.6%
58.2%±22.9Highest
CT: 52.6%
Deep River and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11.8%Highest
CT: 10%
11.4%
CT: 10%
7%Lowest
CT: 10%
8.2%
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
73.2%
CT: 66.5%
71.6%
CT: 66.5%
75.6%Highest
CT: 66.5%
69.2%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1969
2 yrs newer than CT
1968Lowest
1 yr newer than CT
1970
3 yrs newer than CT
1974Highest
7 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 minHighest
7% above CT
28 min
5% above CT
21 minLowest
19% below CT
24 min
9% below CT
Work from home
18.3%±5.6
CT: 16%
11.1%±2.3Lowest
CT: 16%
19%±5Highest
CT: 16%
15.2%±5.6
CT: 16%
Westbrook 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 #8 of 149 in CT #136 of 149 in CT #59 of 149 in CT #70 of 149 in CT
School district Chester School District Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Westbrook School District Deep River School District · Regional School District 04
High school in town None in town Killingly High School Westbrook High School Valley Regional High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
11.1Highest
6.3Lowest
9.3
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.