Compare towns
Darien vs Noroton vs Wilton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Darien has the most expensive homes ($1822k median).
Noroton has the most renters (28.5% rent).
Wilton has the most affordable homes ($929k 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 | Darien | Noroton | Wilton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 21,936Highest |
5,539Lowest |
18,777 |
| Median age | 40±1.5 about the CT average |
37.8±2.6Lowest 8% below CT |
43.1±1.7Highest 5% above CT |
| Wilton and Darien are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 30.9%±2.4Highest CT: 20.2% |
28.5%±2.9 CT: 20.2% |
27.3%±2.6Lowest CT: 20.2% |
| Darien and Noroton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 13.7%±2.1 CT: 18.5% |
12.9%±2.3Lowest CT: 18.5% |
16%±1.7Highest CT: 18.5% |
| Wilton and Darien are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 85.9%Highest CT: 42.5% |
82.6% CT: 42.5% |
75.2%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.5%±1.4Lowest CT: 7.1% |
7.4%±4Highest CT: 7.1% |
4.6%±1.2 CT: 7.1% |
| Noroton and Wilton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $250,001Highest 161% above CT |
$250,001Highest 161% above CT |
$242,199±$16kLowest 153% above CT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,822,400±$171kHighest 397% above CT |
$1,620,000±$222k 342% above CT |
$928,800±$28kLowest 153% above CT |
| Darien and Noroton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $3,501Highest 135% above CT |
$3,501Highest 135% above CT |
$1,819±$438Lowest 22% above CT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+ at least 51% above CT |
$10,000+ at least 51% above CT |
$10,000+ at least 51% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 60.8%±11.7 CT: 52.6% |
62.2%±22.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
56.6%±15.7Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Noroton and Darien are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.8% CT: 10% |
5.9%Highest CT: 10% |
2.4%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.4% CT: 66.5% |
71.5%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
88.6%Highest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1956Lowest 11 yrs older than CT |
1962 5 yrs older than CT |
1970Highest 3 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 39 min 46% above CT |
43 minHighest 62% above CT |
36 minLowest 35% above CT |
| Work from home | 35.5%±6.6Highest CT: 16% |
31.9%±8.2Lowest CT: 16% |
33.8%±3.7 CT: 16% |
| Darien and Wilton 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 | #2 of 149 in CT | — | #6 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Darien School District | — | Wilton School District |
| High school in town | Darien High School | — | Wilton High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.7Lowest |
— | 12.1Highest |
| 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.