Compare towns
Monroe vs Orange vs Putnam
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 highest household income ($157k).
Orange has the oldest population (median age 45.6).
Putnam has the most affordable homes ($245k 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 | Orange | Putnam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 18,949Highest |
14,315 |
7,120Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | +2.3%Highest CT: +0.9% |
-2.1%Lowest CT: +0.9% |
| Median age | 43.5±2.2 6% above CT |
45.6±2.4Highest 11% above CT |
41.2±5.1Lowest about the CT average |
| Orange and Monroe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 25.2%±3Highest CT: 20.2% |
22.9%±2.5 CT: 20.2% |
18.9%±4.3Lowest CT: 20.2% |
| Monroe and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 15.6%±2Lowest CT: 18.5% |
23%±2.7Highest CT: 18.5% |
17%±3.7 CT: 18.5% |
| Orange and Putnam 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% |
59.4%Highest CT: 42.5% |
18.8%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.1%±1.8 CT: 7.1% |
5.5%±2Highest CT: 7.1% |
4.2%±1.8Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Orange and Monroe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $157,250±$12kHighest 64% above CT |
$142,325±$10k 49% above CT |
$65,511±$7kLowest 32% below CT |
| Monroe and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $503,200±$31kHighest 37% above CT |
$491,500±$17k 34% above CT |
$245,100±$13kLowest 33% below CT |
| Monroe and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $994±$860Lowest 33% below CT |
$2,172±$161Highest 46% above CT |
$1,147±$43 23% below CT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 51% above CT |
$8,988 35% above CT |
$3,564Lowest 46% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 48.8%±46.4 CT: 52.6% |
64%±12.1Highest CT: 52.6% |
38.2%±12.1Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Orange and Monroe 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% |
3.9% CT: 10% |
11.7%Highest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 95.7%Highest CT: 66.5% |
89.2% CT: 66.5% |
50.7%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978Highest 11 yrs newer than CT |
1964 3 yrs older than CT |
1956Lowest 11 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 34 minHighest 29% above CT |
28 min 4% above CT |
25 minLowest 5% below CT |
| Work from home | 15.4%±3.3 CT: 16% |
15.6%±2.9Highest CT: 16% |
6.7%±2.7Lowest CT: 16% |
| Orange 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 | #48 of 149 in CT | #38 of 149 in CT | #128 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Monroe School District | — | — |
| High school in town | Masuk High School | — | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.8 |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.