Compare towns

Exeter vs Monroe vs Plainfield

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Exeter has the most people working from home (14.4%).
Monroe has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.6%).
Plainfield has the most affordable homes ($155k 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.

MeasureExeterMonroePlainfield
People
Population
913
786Lowest
1,016Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-14.4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+9.6%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+0.8%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
51.7±12.6Highest
33% above U.S.
51±10.4
31% above U.S.
34.5±6.6Lowest
11% below U.S.
Exeter and Monroe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
22.7%±7.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
20.9%±7.6
U.S.: 22%
15.6%±2.8Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Exeter and Monroe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26.9%±10.5
U.S.: 17.2%
30.3%±8.9Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
14.5%±2.7Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Monroe and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
28.2%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
25.4%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
28.2%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1%±1.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
1.1%±1.8
U.S.: 6.4%
14.9%±11.2Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$77,550±$19k
4% below U.S.
$88,150±$7kHighest
9% above U.S.
$70,673±$6kLowest
12% below U.S.
Monroe and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$243,000±$89k
27% below U.S.
$312,700±$58kHighest
6% below U.S.
$155,100±$17kLowest
53% below U.S.
Monroe and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$867±$44
39% below U.S.
$1,104±$218Highest
22% below U.S.
$750±$207Lowest
47% below U.S.
Monroe and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,926Highest
6% below U.S.
$2,661Lowest
15% below U.S.
$2,667
14% below U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
48%±39Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
40.6%±43.5
U.S.: 51.1%
Monroe and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.3%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.2%
U.S.: 12.5%
7.8%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
97.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
88.6%
U.S.: 65.2%
87.6%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1977
3 yrs older than U.S.
1977
3 yrs older than U.S.
1977
3 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 min
9% above U.S.
27 minLowest
4% above U.S.
29 minHighest
11% above U.S.
Work from home
14.4%±10.4Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
3.2%±2.2Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
11.5%±4.7
U.S.: 15.1%
Exeter and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — Monroe School District —
High school in town — None in town —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

U.S. 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.