Compare towns
Darien vs Stamford 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 homeowners (82.4%).
Stamford has the most affordable homes ($624k median).
Noroton has the youngest population (median age 37.8).
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 | Stamford | Noroton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 21,936 |
137,144Highest |
5,539Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | +10.5% CT: +0.9% |
— |
| Median age | 40±1.5Highest about the CT average |
38.4±0.7 7% below CT |
37.8±2.6Lowest 8% below CT |
| Darien and Stamford 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% |
18.4%±1Lowest 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% |
16.2%±0.9Highest CT: 18.5% |
12.9%±2.3Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Stamford 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% |
51.7%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
82.6% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.5%±1.4Lowest CT: 7.1% |
6.8%±0.6 CT: 7.1% |
7.4%±4Highest CT: 7.1% |
| Noroton and Stamford 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 |
$111,586±$5kLowest 17% above CT |
$250,001Highest 161% above CT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $1,822,400±$171kHighest 397% above CT |
$624,400±$12kLowest 70% 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 |
$2,276±$58Lowest 53% above CT |
$3,501Highest 135% above CT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 51% above CT |
$9,314Lowest 40% above CT |
$10,000+Highest at least 51% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 60.8%±11.7 CT: 52.6% |
52.8%±3.5Lowest 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%Lowest CT: 10% |
10.1%Highest CT: 10% |
5.9% CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.4%Highest CT: 66.5% |
48.8%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
71.5% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1956Lowest 11 yrs older than CT |
1973Highest 6 yrs newer than CT |
1962 5 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 39 min 46% above CT |
29 minLowest 8% above CT |
43 minHighest 62% above CT |
| Work from home | 35.5%±6.6Highest CT: 16% |
19.4%±1.5Lowest 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 | #111 of 149 in CT | — |
| School district | Darien School District | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Stamford School District | — |
| High school in town | Darien High School | Westhill High School | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.7Lowest |
14.4Highest |
— |
| 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.