Compare towns

Guilford vs Killingly vs Cheshire vs Branford

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Guilford has the most expensive homes ($516k median).
Killingly has the most affordable homes ($289k median).
Cheshire has the highest household income ($147k).
Branford has the shortest commute (24 min average).

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.

MeasureGuilfordKillinglyCheshireBranford
People
Population
22,108
17,867Lowest
29,040Highest
28,217
Median age
51.1±1.9
24% above CT
39.5±3Lowest
4% below CT
44.9±1.4
9% above CT
54.2±2.1Highest
32% above CT
Branford and Guilford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.8%±2.4
CT: 20.2%
19.8%±2.3
CT: 20.2%
21.9%±2.3Highest
CT: 20.2%
14.1%±1.8Lowest
CT: 20.2%
Cheshire and Guilford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26.6%±2.7
CT: 18.5%
19.7%±2.4Lowest
CT: 18.5%
21.3%±1.8
CT: 18.5%
30.3%±2.6Highest
CT: 18.5%
Branford and Guilford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
60.6%
CT: 42.5%
22.9%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
60.7%Highest
CT: 42.5%
51.5%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.7%±1Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.9Highest
CT: 7.1%
4.5%±1.1
CT: 7.1%
4.9%±1.2
CT: 7.1%
Killingly and Branford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$137,816±$11k
44% above CT
$84,350±$8kLowest
12% below CT
$146,528±$12kHighest
53% above CT
$105,225±$7k
10% above CT
Cheshire and Guilford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$515,800±$40kHighest
41% above CT
$288,600±$15kLowest
21% below CT
$440,000±$17k
20% above CT
$401,200±$21k
9% above CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,717±$128Highest
15% above CT
$1,044±$141Lowest
30% below CT
$1,398±$116
6% below CT
$1,565±$111
5% above CT
Guilford and Branford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$8,744Highest
32% above CT
$3,922Lowest
41% below CT
$7,755
17% above CT
$6,575
about the CT average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
47.4%±9
CT: 52.6%
42.8%±10.9Lowest
CT: 52.6%
44.9%±6.3
CT: 52.6%
50.7%±9Highest
CT: 52.6%
Branford and Guilford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
2.8%Lowest
CT: 10%
11.4%Highest
CT: 10%
5%
CT: 10%
5.9%
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
83.7%
CT: 66.5%
71.6%
CT: 66.5%
86.6%Highest
CT: 66.5%
69.5%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1974Highest
7 yrs newer than CT
1968Lowest
1 yr newer than CT
1974Highest
7 yrs newer than CT
1972
5 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 min
about the CT average
28 min
5% above CT
29 minHighest
9% above CT
24 minLowest
11% below CT
Work from home
21.7%±3.3Highest
CT: 16%
11.1%±2.3Lowest
CT: 16%
19.1%±2.7
CT: 16%
16.1%±3.8
CT: 16%
Guilford and Cheshire 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 #15 of 149 in CT #136 of 149 in CT #18 of 149 in CT #94 of 149 in CT
School district Guilford School District Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Cheshire School District Branford School District
High school in town Guilford High School Killingly High School Cheshire High School Branford High School
Students per teacherat that high school
11.8Highest
11.1
11.6
11.0Lowest
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.