Compare towns

Killingly vs Salem vs Windsor vs Putnam

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 youngest population (median age 39.5).
Salem has the most expensive homes ($404k median).
Windsor has the shortest commute (21 min average).
Putnam has the most renters (40.2% 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.

MeasureKillinglySalemWindsorPutnam
People
Population
17,867
4,282Lowest
29,468Highest
9,292
Median age
39.5±3Lowest
4% below CT
40.9±5.4
about the CT average
43.7±1.9Highest
6% above CT
43.7±3Highest
6% above CT
Kids under 18
19.8%±2.3
CT: 20.2%
23.2%±5.1Highest
CT: 20.2%
19.2%±2.1
CT: 20.2%
18.6%±3.6Lowest
CT: 20.2%
Salem and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.7%±2.4
CT: 18.5%
19.7%±4.7
CT: 18.5%
20%±2Highest
CT: 18.5%
18.5%±3.1Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Windsor and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
22.9%
CT: 42.5%
50.6%Highest
CT: 42.5%
43.2%
CT: 42.5%
20%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.4%±1.9
CT: 7.1%
5.8%±3.3
CT: 7.1%
5.9%±1.3Highest
CT: 7.1%
3.9%±1.4Lowest
CT: 7.1%
Windsor and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$84,350±$8k
12% below CT
$123,245±$8kHighest
29% above CT
$104,725±$8k
9% above CT
$70,561±$7kLowest
26% below CT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$288,600±$15k
21% below CT
$403,600±$33kHighest
10% above CT
$305,200±$11k
17% below CT
$269,200±$11kLowest
27% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,044±$141Lowest
30% below CT
$1,440±$150
3% below CT
$1,681±$62Highest
13% above CT
$1,149±$44
23% below CT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,922
41% below CT
$6,668Highest
about the CT average
$5,351
19% below CT
$3,860Lowest
42% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
42.8%±10.9
CT: 52.6%
32.1%±26Lowest
CT: 52.6%
44.9%±10.9Highest
CT: 52.6%
37.7%±11.6
CT: 52.6%
Windsor and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11.4%
CT: 10%
6.2%Lowest
CT: 10%
6.7%
CT: 10%
11.5%Highest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
71.6%
CT: 66.5%
86.6%Highest
CT: 66.5%
82.4%
CT: 66.5%
59.8%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1968
1 yr newer than CT
1988Highest
21 yrs newer than CT
1970
3 yrs newer than CT
1961Lowest
6 yrs older than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 min
5% above CT
32 minHighest
19% above CT
21 minLowest
19% below CT
25 min
6% below CT
Work from home
11.1%±2.3
CT: 16%
18%±9.6Highest
CT: 16%
16.1%±3.2
CT: 16%
9%±2.8Lowest
CT: 16%
Salem and Windsor 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 #136 of 149 in CT #11 of 149 in CT #117 of 149 in CT #128 of 149 in CT
School district Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Salem School District Capitol Region Education Council · Windsor School District Putnam School District
High school in town Killingly High School None in town Windsor High School Putnam High School
Students per teacherat that high school
11.1Highest
—
10.2
9.5Lowest
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.