Compare towns
Durham vs Canton 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 highest household income ($159k).
Canton has the most kids (22.6% under 18).
Putnam has the most affordable homes ($269k 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.
| Measure | Durham | Canton | Putnam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 7,208Lowest |
10,144Highest |
9,292 |
| Median age | 45.5±2.8Highest 11% above CT |
45.3±5.2 10% above CT |
43.7±3Lowest 6% above CT |
| Durham and Canton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 16.4%±3.6Lowest CT: 20.2% |
22.6%±4Highest CT: 20.2% |
18.6%±3.6 CT: 20.2% |
| Canton and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 17.4%±3.7Lowest CT: 18.5% |
23.5%±4.2Highest CT: 18.5% |
18.5%±3.1 CT: 18.5% |
| Canton and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 47.9% CT: 42.5% |
57.2%Highest CT: 42.5% |
20%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.6%±1.5 CT: 7.1% |
2.9%±1.4Lowest CT: 7.1% |
3.9%±1.4Highest CT: 7.1% |
| Putnam and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $158,857±$7kHighest 66% above CT |
$117,991±$20k 23% above CT |
$70,561±$7kLowest 26% below CT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $424,800±$23kHighest 16% above CT |
$395,300±$24k 8% above CT |
$269,200±$11kLowest 27% below CT |
| Durham and Canton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,154±$448 22% below CT |
$1,403±$358Highest 6% below CT |
$1,149±$44Lowest 23% below CT |
| Canton and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,998Highest 20% above CT |
$7,232 9% above CT |
$3,860Lowest 42% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.9%±28.4 CT: 52.6% |
59.9%±28.9Highest CT: 52.6% |
37.7%±11.6Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Canton and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 3.4%Lowest CT: 10% |
5.7% CT: 10% |
11.5%Highest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.2%Highest CT: 66.5% |
83.7% CT: 66.5% |
59.8%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976Highest 9 yrs newer than CT |
1976Highest 9 yrs newer than CT |
1961Lowest 6 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 23 minLowest 13% below CT |
29 minHighest 9% above CT |
25 min 6% below CT |
| Work from home | 20.5%±6.4 CT: 16% |
24.8%±6.1Highest CT: 16% |
9%±2.8Lowest CT: 16% |
| Canton 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 | #22 of 149 in CT | #128 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Regional School District 13 | Canton School District | Putnam School District |
| High school in town | Coginchaug Regional High School | Canton High School | Putnam High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 8.9Lowest |
9.6Highest |
9.5 |
| 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.