Compare towns

Griswold vs Preston vs Killingly vs Stafford

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Griswold has the oldest population (median age 48.1).
Preston has the most expensive homes ($362k median).
Killingly has the youngest population (median age 39.5).
Stafford has the most kids (21.5% under 18).

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.

MeasureGriswoldPrestonKillinglyStafford
People
Population
11,530
4,821Lowest
17,867Highest
11,511
Median age
48.1±3.9Highest
17% above CT
46.2±7
12% above CT
39.5±3Lowest
4% below CT
46.7±4.8
14% above CT
Griswold and Stafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.5%±3.7Lowest
CT: 20.2%
18.7%±4.4
CT: 20.2%
19.8%±2.3
CT: 20.2%
21.5%±3.1Highest
CT: 20.2%
Stafford and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17.8%±3.5Lowest
CT: 18.5%
23%±4.7Highest
CT: 18.5%
19.7%±2.4
CT: 18.5%
22%±3
CT: 18.5%
Preston and Stafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
19.9%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
28.5%Highest
CT: 42.5%
22.9%
CT: 42.5%
28.5%Highest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.8%±1.1Lowest
CT: 7.1%
4.9%±2.4
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.9Highest
CT: 7.1%
3.5%±1.3
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
$78,719±$11kLowest
18% below CT
$116,648±$27kHighest
22% above CT
$84,350±$8k
12% below CT
$93,235±$16k
about the CT average
Preston and Stafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$275,900±$42k
25% below CT
$361,900±$13kHighest
about the CT average
$288,600±$15k
21% below CT
$263,800±$22kLowest
28% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,177±$65
21% below CT
$1,433±$1kHighest
4% below CT
$1,044±$141Lowest
30% below CT
$1,086±$85
27% below CT
Preston and Griswold are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,628
30% below CT
$4,749
29% below CT
$3,922Lowest
41% below CT
$5,131Highest
23% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
57.5%±15.5Highest
CT: 52.6%
52.6%±12.5
CT: 52.6%
42.8%±10.9
CT: 52.6%
41.5%±12.2Lowest
CT: 52.6%
Griswold and Preston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.6%
CT: 10%
2.4%Lowest
CT: 10%
11.4%Highest
CT: 10%
7.4%
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
73.3%
CT: 66.5%
91.7%Highest
CT: 66.5%
71.6%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
79.5%
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1977Highest
10 yrs newer than CT
1970
3 yrs newer than CT
1968Lowest
1 yr newer than CT
1970
3 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
17% above CT
22 minLowest
17% below CT
28 min
5% above CT
26 min
about the CT average
Work from home
9%±3.6Lowest
CT: 16%
10.3%±6
CT: 16%
11.1%±2.3Highest
CT: 16%
11%±3.5
CT: 16%
Killingly and Stafford 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 #118 of 149 in CT #93 of 149 in CT #136 of 149 in CT #96 of 149 in CT
School district Griswold School District Preston School District Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Stafford School District
High school in town Griswold High School None in town Killingly High School Stafford High School
Students per teacherat that high school
11.5Highest
—
11.1
9.8Lowest
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.