Compare towns
Darien vs Ridgefield vs Noroton
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).
Ridgefield has the most affordable homes ($836k median).
Noroton has the most renters (28.5% 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.
| Measure | Darien | Ridgefield | Noroton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 21,936 |
25,109Highest |
5,539Lowest |
| Median age | 40±1.5 about the CT average |
45.1±1.4Highest 10% above CT |
37.8±2.6Lowest 8% below CT |
| Kids under 18 | 30.9%±2.4Highest CT: 20.2% |
24.8%±2.3Lowest CT: 20.2% |
28.5%±2.9 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% |
18.7%±1.9Highest CT: 18.5% |
12.9%±2.3Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 85.9%Highest CT: 42.5% |
72.6%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
82.6% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.5%±1.4Lowest CT: 7.1% |
4.5%±1.4Lowest CT: 7.1% |
7.4%±4Highest CT: 7.1% |
| Noroton and Darien 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 |
$179,219±$12kLowest 87% above CT |
$250,001Highest 161% above CT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,822,400±$171kHighest 397% above CT |
$836,200±$26kLowest 128% above CT |
$1,620,000±$222k 342% 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 |
$2,026±$200Lowest 36% above CT |
$3,501Highest 135% 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% |
53.3%±12Lowest CT: 52.6% |
62.2%±22.7Highest 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% |
3.5%Lowest CT: 10% |
5.9%Highest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.4% CT: 66.5% |
83.5%Highest CT: 66.5% |
71.5%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1956Lowest 11 yrs older than CT |
1972Highest 5 yrs newer than CT |
1962 5 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 39 min 46% above CT |
33 minLowest 25% above CT |
43 minHighest 62% above CT |
| Work from home | 35.5%±6.6Highest CT: 16% |
29.7%±3.7Lowest CT: 16% |
31.9%±8.2 CT: 16% |
| Darien and Noroton 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 | #4 of 149 in CT | — |
| School district | Darien School District | Ridgefield School District | — |
| High school in town | Darien High School | Ridgefield High School | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.7Lowest |
11.4Highest |
— |
| 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.