Compare towns
Monroe vs Derby vs Sandy Hook vs Easton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Monroe has the most homeowners (95.7%).
Derby has the most affordable homes ($257k median).
Sandy Hook has the most people working from home (23.1%).
Easton has the most expensive homes ($783k 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 | Monroe | Derby | Sandy Hook | Easton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 18,949Highest |
12,487 |
9,863 |
7,670Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | -4.5% CT: +0.9% |
— | — |
| Median age | 43.5±2.2 6% above CT |
46.4±3.1Highest 13% above CT |
43.1±3Lowest 5% above CT |
45±3.8 9% above CT |
| Derby and Easton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 25.2%±3 CT: 20.2% |
14.6%±2.9Lowest CT: 20.2% |
22.6%±4.1 CT: 20.2% |
25.4%±4.2Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Easton and Monroe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 15.6%±2 CT: 18.5% |
21.1%±3.9Highest CT: 18.5% |
14.4%±2.4Lowest CT: 18.5% |
16.7%±3.3 CT: 18.5% |
| Derby and Easton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 57.3% CT: 42.5% |
35.6%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
60.9% CT: 42.5% |
73.1%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.1%±1.8Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.9%±2 CT: 7.1% |
6.2%±2.1Highest CT: 7.1% |
6.2%±2.1Highest CT: 7.1% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $157,250±$12k 64% above CT |
$79,500±$11kLowest 17% below CT |
$160,814±$25k 68% above CT |
$222,604±$46kHighest 132% above CT |
| Easton and Sandy Hook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $503,200±$31k 37% above CT |
$256,700±$21kLowest 30% below CT |
$501,200±$33k 37% above CT |
$783,100±$51kHighest 113% above CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $994±$860Lowest 33% below CT |
$1,452±$95 about the CT average |
$1,866±$439 25% above CT |
$3,205±$1kHighest 115% above CT |
| Easton and Sandy Hook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 51% above CT |
$5,510Lowest 17% below CT |
$10,000+Highest at least 51% above CT |
$10,000+Highest at least 51% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 48.8%±46.4 CT: 52.6% |
53.9%±12.6Highest CT: 52.6% |
52.4%±26.6 CT: 52.6% |
21.8%±12.5Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Derby and Sandy Hook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 2.6%Lowest CT: 10% |
10.8%Highest CT: 10% |
5.6% CT: 10% |
6.9% CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 95.7%Highest CT: 66.5% |
61.9%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
92.9% CT: 66.5% |
88.1% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978 11 yrs newer than CT |
1967Lowest same as CT |
1979Highest 12 yrs newer than CT |
1974 7 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 34 min 29% above CT |
27 minLowest about the CT average |
35 minHighest 33% above CT |
33 min 24% above CT |
| Work from home | 15.4%±3.3 CT: 16% |
15.1%±4.8Lowest CT: 16% |
23.1%±4.4Highest CT: 16% |
21.3%±5.4 CT: 16% |
| Sandy Hook and Easton 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 | #48 of 149 in CT | #138 of 149 in CT | — | #9 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Monroe School District | Derby School District | — | Easton School District |
| High school in town | Masuk High School | Derby High School | — | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.8Highest |
9.7Lowest |
— | — |
| 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.