Compare towns

Durham vs Durham vs Killingly vs Preston

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Durham has the oldest population (median age 47.9).
Durham has the most expensive homes ($425k median).
Killingly has the most renters (28.4% rent).
Preston has the shortest commute (22 min average).

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.

MeasureDurhamDurhamKillinglyPreston
People
Population
3,347Lowest
7,208
17,867Highest
4,821
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+28.6%
CT: +0.9%
— — —
Median age
47.9±5.4Highest
17% above CT
45.5±2.8
11% above CT
39.5±3Lowest
4% below CT
46.2±7
12% above CT
Durham and Preston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15%±4.6Lowest
CT: 20.2%
16.4%±3.6
CT: 20.2%
19.8%±2.3Highest
CT: 20.2%
18.7%±4.4
CT: 20.2%
Killingly and Preston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.1%±4.5
CT: 18.5%
17.4%±3.7Lowest
CT: 18.5%
19.7%±2.4
CT: 18.5%
23%±4.7Highest
CT: 18.5%
Preston and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
42.4%
CT: 42.5%
47.9%Highest
CT: 42.5%
22.9%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
28.5%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.2%±2.1
CT: 7.1%
3.6%±1.5Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.9Highest
CT: 7.1%
4.9%±2.4
CT: 7.1%
Killingly and Preston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$152,396±$32k
59% above CT
$158,857±$7kHighest
66% above CT
$84,350±$8kLowest
12% below CT
$116,648±$27k
22% above CT
Durham and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$401,700±$32k
9% above CT
$424,800±$23kHighest
16% above CT
$288,600±$15kLowest
21% below CT
$361,900±$13k
about the CT average
Durham and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,625±$1kHighest
9% above CT
$1,154±$448
22% below CT
$1,044±$141Lowest
30% below CT
$1,433±$1k
4% below CT
Durham and Preston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$7,107
7% above CT
$7,998Highest
20% above CT
$3,922Lowest
41% below CT
$4,749
29% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
57.7%±35Highest
CT: 52.6%
44.9%±28.4
CT: 52.6%
42.8%±10.9Lowest
CT: 52.6%
52.6%±12.5
CT: 52.6%
Durham and Preston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6.1%
CT: 10%
3.4%
CT: 10%
11.4%Highest
CT: 10%
2.4%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90%
CT: 66.5%
93.2%Highest
CT: 66.5%
71.6%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
91.7%
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1975
8 yrs newer than CT
1976Highest
9 yrs newer than CT
1968Lowest
1 yr newer than CT
1970
3 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 min
10% below CT
23 min
13% below CT
28 minHighest
5% above CT
22 minLowest
17% below CT
Work from home
20%±6.7
CT: 16%
20.5%±6.4Highest
CT: 16%
11.1%±2.3
CT: 16%
10.3%±6Lowest
CT: 16%
Durham and Durham 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 #88 of 149 in CT #88 of 149 in CT #136 of 149 in CT #93 of 149 in CT
School district — Regional School District 13 Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Preston School District
High school in town — Coginchaug Regional High School Killingly High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
8.9Lowest
11.1Highest
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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.