Compare towns

Durham vs Durham vs Thompson

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 most kids (16.4% under 18).
Thompson has the most affordable homes ($292k 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.

MeasureDurhamDurhamThompson
People
Population
3,347Lowest
7,208
9,337Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+28.6%
CT: +0.9%
— —
Median age
47.9±5.4
17% above CT
45.5±2.8Lowest
11% above CT
54.1±2.2Highest
32% above CT
Thompson and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15%±4.6
CT: 20.2%
16.4%±3.6Highest
CT: 20.2%
11.4%±2.8Lowest
CT: 20.2%
Durham and Durham 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%
24.4%±4.3Highest
CT: 18.5%
Thompson and Durham 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%
21.9%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.2%±2.1Highest
CT: 7.1%
3.6%±1.5
CT: 7.1%
2.9%±1.3Lowest
CT: 7.1%
Durham and Durham 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
$93,629±$18kLowest
about the CT average
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
$291,900±$24kLowest
20% 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
$1,012±$344Lowest
32% 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
$3,822Lowest
42% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
57.7%±35Highest
CT: 52.6%
44.9%±28.4Lowest
CT: 52.6%
54%±18.7
CT: 52.6%
Durham and Thompson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6.1%Highest
CT: 10%
3.4%Lowest
CT: 10%
5.9%
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90%
CT: 66.5%
93.2%Highest
CT: 66.5%
84.3%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1975
8 yrs newer than CT
1976Highest
9 yrs newer than CT
1963Lowest
4 yrs older than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 min
10% below CT
23 minLowest
13% below CT
32 minHighest
20% above CT
Work from home
20%±6.7
CT: 16%
20.5%±6.4Highest
CT: 16%
13.1%±4.4Lowest
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 #130 of 149 in CT
School district — Regional School District 13 Thompson School District
High school in town — Coginchaug Regional High School Tourtellotte Memorial High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
8.9Highest
7.9Lowest
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.