Compare towns
Durham vs Durham vs Putnam
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).
Putnam has the most renters (40.2% 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 | Durham | Durham | Putnam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,347Lowest |
7,208 |
9,292Highest |
| 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 |
43.7±3Lowest 6% above CT |
| Durham and Durham 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% |
18.6%±3.6Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Putnam and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 19.1%±4.5Highest CT: 18.5% |
17.4%±3.7Lowest CT: 18.5% |
18.5%±3.1 CT: 18.5% |
| Durham and Putnam 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% |
20%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.2%±2.1Highest CT: 7.1% |
3.6%±1.5Lowest CT: 7.1% |
3.9%±1.4 CT: 7.1% |
| Durham and Putnam 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 |
$70,561±$7kLowest 26% below 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 |
$269,200±$11kLowest 27% below CT |
| 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 |
$1,149±$44Lowest 23% below CT |
| Durham and Durham 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 |
$3,860Lowest 42% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 57.7%±35Highest CT: 52.6% |
44.9%±28.4 CT: 52.6% |
37.7%±11.6Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Durham and Durham 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%Lowest CT: 10% |
11.5%Highest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90% CT: 66.5% |
93.2%Highest CT: 66.5% |
59.8%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975 8 yrs newer than CT |
1976Highest 9 yrs newer than CT |
1961Lowest 6 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 24 min 10% below CT |
23 minLowest 13% below CT |
25 minHighest 6% below CT |
| Work from home | 20%±6.7 CT: 16% |
20.5%±6.4Highest CT: 16% |
9%±2.8Lowest 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 | #128 of 149 in CT |
| School district | — | Regional School District 13 | Putnam School District |
| High school in town | — | Coginchaug Regional High School | Putnam High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 8.9Lowest |
9.5Highest |
| 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.


