Compare towns
Hamden vs Hampton vs New Haven vs North Haven
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hampton has the oldest population (median age 51.5).
New Haven has the most renters (71.6% rent).
North Haven has the most expensive homes ($393k 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 | Hamden | Hampton | New Haven | North Haven |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 61,045 |
1,647Lowest |
134,349Highest |
24,336 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | — | +3.3% CT: +0.9% |
— |
| Median age | 38.7±0.9 6% below CT |
51.5±5.3Highest 25% above CT |
31.9±0.5Lowest 22% below CT |
45.7±1.3 11% above CT |
| Hampton and North Haven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 17%±1.5Lowest CT: 20.2% |
19.7%±5.3 CT: 20.2% |
21.3%±1 CT: 20.2% |
21.5%±2.5Highest CT: 20.2% |
| North Haven and New Haven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 18.1%±1.3 CT: 18.5% |
26.1%±2.1Highest CT: 18.5% |
11.8%±0.8Lowest CT: 18.5% |
22.3%±2.1 CT: 18.5% |
| Hampton and North Haven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 47.8%Highest CT: 42.5% |
29.9%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
38.9% CT: 42.5% |
46.5% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 15%±1.1Highest CT: 7.1% |
1.9%±1.1Lowest CT: 7.1% |
14.9%±0.8 CT: 7.1% |
4.5%±1.3 CT: 7.1% |
| Hamden and New Haven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $98,306±$7k about the CT average |
$109,167±$19k 14% above CT |
$56,851±$4kLowest 41% below CT |
$132,689±$7kHighest 39% above CT |
| North Haven and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $298,200±$9k 19% below CT |
$295,800±$27k 19% below CT |
$287,100±$16kLowest 22% below CT |
$393,200±$15kHighest 7% above CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,746±$50Highest 17% above CT |
$1,285±$288Lowest 14% below CT |
$1,488±$33 about the CT average |
$1,720±$127 16% above CT |
| Hamden and North Haven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,784Highest 17% above CT |
$4,364Lowest 34% below CT |
$6,430 3% below CT |
$6,964 5% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 50.9%±5.4 CT: 52.6% |
52.5%±51.5 CT: 52.6% |
56.6%±3.2Highest CT: 52.6% |
45.2%±10Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| New Haven and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 9.3% CT: 10% |
5.7% CT: 10% |
23.9%Highest CT: 10% |
4.1%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 62.4% CT: 66.5% |
90%Highest CT: 66.5% |
28.4%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
81.3% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1964 3 yrs older than CT |
1980Highest 13 yrs newer than CT |
1954Lowest 13 yrs older than CT |
1964 3 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 22 min 18% below CT |
29 minHighest 9% above CT |
22 minLowest 19% below CT |
22 min 18% below CT |
| Work from home | 16.3%±2.1 CT: 16% |
17.7%±5.1Highest CT: 16% |
13.9%±1.6Lowest CT: 16% |
14.9%±2.8 CT: 16% |
| Hampton and Hamden 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 | #122 of 149 in CT | — | #145 of 149 in CT | #84 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Area Cooperative Educational Services | Hampton School District | Common Ground High School District · Elm City Montessori School District | Area Cooperative Educational Services · North Haven School District |
| High school in town | Hamden High School | None in town | Wilbur Cross High School | North Haven High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 13.5 |
— | 13.7Highest |
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.