Compare towns
Danbury vs Middletown vs Norwalk
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Danbury has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7%).
Middletown has the most affordable homes ($295k median).
Norwalk has the most expensive homes ($558k 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 | Danbury | Middletown | Norwalk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 87,263 |
47,958Lowest |
92,187Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7%Highest CT: +0.9% |
+0.1%Lowest CT: +0.9% |
+6.5% CT: +0.9% |
| Median age | 40.6±1.3Highest about the CT average |
38.1±1.5Lowest 7% below CT |
40.6±1Highest about the CT average |
| Kids under 18 | 19.6%±1.4Highest CT: 20.2% |
14.3%±1.3Lowest CT: 20.2% |
18.8%±1.2 CT: 20.2% |
| Danbury and Norwalk are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 17.2%±1.2Highest CT: 18.5% |
16.5%±1.3Lowest CT: 18.5% |
17%±1 CT: 18.5% |
| Danbury and Norwalk are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 34%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
40.2% CT: 42.5% |
44.8%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7.7%±1 CT: 7.1% |
15.5%±1.4Highest CT: 7.1% |
6.7%±0.8Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $83,393±$6k 13% below CT |
$79,438±$6kLowest 17% below CT |
$107,616±$7kHighest 12% above CT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $411,200±$12k 12% above CT |
$295,300±$11kLowest 20% below CT |
$558,000±$21kHighest 52% above CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,846±$63 24% above CT |
$1,446±$45Lowest about the CT average |
$2,073±$87Highest 39% above CT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,877Lowest 12% below CT |
$6,412 3% below CT |
$7,817Highest 18% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 51.9%±4.8 CT: 52.6% |
47.7%±5.3Lowest CT: 52.6% |
52.1%±5.2Highest CT: 52.6% |
| Norwalk and Danbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 11.7% CT: 10% |
12%Highest CT: 10% |
9.1%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 53.8% CT: 66.5% |
52.9%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
55.6%Highest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975Highest 8 yrs newer than CT |
1972 5 yrs newer than CT |
1967Lowest same as CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 30 minHighest 13% above CT |
23 minLowest 12% below CT |
27 min about the CT average |
| Work from home | 12.7%±1.8Lowest CT: 16% |
14.1%±1.8 CT: 16% |
15.1%±1.4Highest CT: 16% |
| Norwalk and Middletown 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 | #137 of 149 in CT | #121 of 149 in CT | #112 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Danbury School District | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services | Norwalk School District |
| High school in town | Danbury High School | Middletown High School | Brien McMahon High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 15.7Highest |
11.8Lowest |
14.7 |
| 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.