Compare towns
Killingly vs Orange vs Orange vs Sterling
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Killingly has the most renters (28.4% rent).
Sterling has the most affordable homes ($283k 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 | Killingly | Orange | Orange | Sterling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 17,867Highest |
14,315 |
14,315 |
3,629Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | +2.3% CT: +0.9% |
— | — |
| Median age | 39.5±3 4% below CT |
45.6±2.4Highest 11% above CT |
45.6±2.4Highest 11% above CT |
39.4±5.9Lowest 4% below CT |
| Kids under 18 | 19.8%±2.3Lowest CT: 20.2% |
22.9%±2.5Highest CT: 20.2% |
22.9%±2.5Highest CT: 20.2% |
22.8%±5.9 CT: 20.2% |
| Age 65+ | 19.7%±2.4 CT: 18.5% |
23%±2.7Highest CT: 18.5% |
23%±2.7Highest CT: 18.5% |
13%±3.8Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 22.9% CT: 42.5% |
59.4%Highest CT: 42.5% |
59.4%Highest CT: 42.5% |
18%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.4%±1.9 CT: 7.1% |
5.5%±2Highest CT: 7.1% |
5.5%±2Highest CT: 7.1% |
3.7%±1.9Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $84,350±$8kLowest 12% below CT |
$142,325±$10kHighest 49% above CT |
$142,325±$10kHighest 49% above CT |
$102,695±$12k 7% above CT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $288,600±$15k 21% below CT |
$491,500±$17kHighest 34% above CT |
$491,500±$17kHighest 34% above CT |
$283,400±$17kLowest 23% below CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,044±$141Lowest 30% below CT |
$2,172±$161Highest 46% above CT |
$2,172±$161Highest 46% above CT |
— |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,922Lowest 41% below CT |
$8,988Highest 35% above CT |
$8,988Highest 35% above CT |
$4,551 31% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 42.8%±10.9 CT: 52.6% |
64%±12.1Highest CT: 52.6% |
64%±12.1Highest CT: 52.6% |
32%±18.1Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Below poverty line | 11.4%Highest CT: 10% |
3.9%Lowest CT: 10% |
3.9%Lowest CT: 10% |
8.3% CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 71.6%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
89.2%Highest CT: 66.5% |
89.2%Highest CT: 66.5% |
81.1% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1968 1 yr newer than CT |
1964Lowest 3 yrs older than CT |
1964Lowest 3 yrs older than CT |
1988Highest 21 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 5% above CT |
28 minLowest 4% above CT |
28 minLowest 4% above CT |
35 minHighest 34% above CT |
| Work from home | 11.1%±2.3Lowest CT: 16% |
15.6%±2.9Highest CT: 16% |
15.6%±2.9Highest CT: 16% |
11.6%±6.4 CT: 16% |
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #136 of 149 in CT | #38 of 149 in CT | #38 of 149 in CT | #119 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS | — | Orange School District · Regional School District 05 | Sterling School District |
| High school in town | Killingly High School | — | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.1 |
— | — | — |
| 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.