Compare towns
Hamden vs Monroe vs Middletown vs New Haven
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hamden has the most people working from home (16.3%).
Monroe has the most expensive homes ($503k median).
New Haven has the most renters (71.6% rent).
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 | Monroe | Middletown | New Haven |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 61,045 |
18,949Lowest |
47,958 |
134,349Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | — | +0.1%Lowest CT: +0.9% |
+3.3%Highest CT: +0.9% |
| Median age | 38.7±0.9 6% below CT |
43.5±2.2Highest 6% above CT |
38.1±1.5 7% below CT |
31.9±0.5Lowest 22% below CT |
| Kids under 18 | 17%±1.5 CT: 20.2% |
25.2%±3Highest CT: 20.2% |
14.3%±1.3Lowest CT: 20.2% |
21.3%±1 CT: 20.2% |
| Monroe and New Haven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 18.1%±1.3Highest CT: 18.5% |
15.6%±2 CT: 18.5% |
16.5%±1.3 CT: 18.5% |
11.8%±0.8Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Hamden and Middletown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 47.8% CT: 42.5% |
57.3%Highest CT: 42.5% |
40.2% CT: 42.5% |
38.9%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 15%±1.1 CT: 7.1% |
5.1%±1.8Lowest CT: 7.1% |
15.5%±1.4Highest CT: 7.1% |
14.9%±0.8 CT: 7.1% |
| Middletown and Hamden 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 |
$157,250±$12kHighest 64% above CT |
$79,438±$6k 17% below CT |
$56,851±$4kLowest 41% below CT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $298,200±$9k 19% below CT |
$503,200±$31kHighest 37% above CT |
$295,300±$11k 20% below CT |
$287,100±$16kLowest 22% below CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,746±$50Highest 17% above CT |
$994±$860Lowest 33% below CT |
$1,446±$45 about the CT average |
$1,488±$33 about the CT average |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,784 17% above CT |
$10,000+Highest at least 51% above CT |
$6,412Lowest 3% below CT |
$6,430 3% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 50.9%±5.4 CT: 52.6% |
48.8%±46.4 CT: 52.6% |
47.7%±5.3Lowest CT: 52.6% |
56.6%±3.2Highest CT: 52.6% |
| New Haven and Hamden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 9.3% CT: 10% |
2.6%Lowest CT: 10% |
12% CT: 10% |
23.9%Highest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 62.4% CT: 66.5% |
95.7%Highest CT: 66.5% |
52.9% CT: 66.5% |
28.4%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1964 3 yrs older than CT |
1978Highest 11 yrs newer than CT |
1972 5 yrs newer than CT |
1954Lowest 13 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 22 min 18% below CT |
34 minHighest 29% above CT |
23 min 12% below CT |
22 minLowest 19% below CT |
| Work from home | 16.3%±2.1Highest CT: 16% |
15.4%±3.3 CT: 16% |
14.1%±1.8 CT: 16% |
13.9%±1.6Lowest CT: 16% |
| Hamden and Monroe 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 | #48 of 149 in CT | #121 of 149 in CT | #145 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Area Cooperative Educational Services | Monroe School District | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services | Common Ground High School District · Elm City Montessori School District |
| High school in town | Hamden High School | Masuk High School | Middletown High School | Wilbur Cross High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 13.5 |
12.8 |
11.8Lowest |
13.7Highest |
| 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.