Compare towns
Monroe vs Orange vs Union 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 youngest population (median age 43.5).
Orange has the shortest commute (28 min average).
Union has the most affordable homes ($330k median).
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 | Orange | Union | Easton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 18,949Highest |
14,315 |
944Lowest |
7,670 |
| Median age | 43.5±2.2Lowest 6% above CT |
45.6±2.4 11% above CT |
49.9±4.3Highest 21% above CT |
45±3.8 9% above CT |
| Union and Orange 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% |
22.9%±2.5 CT: 20.2% |
16.9%±4.3Lowest 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%±2Lowest CT: 18.5% |
23%±2.7 CT: 18.5% |
24.5%±2.6Highest CT: 18.5% |
16.7%±3.3 CT: 18.5% |
| Union and Orange 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% CT: 42.5% |
24%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
73.1%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.1%±1.8 CT: 7.1% |
5.5%±2 CT: 7.1% |
5%±3.3Lowest CT: 7.1% |
6.2%±2.1Highest CT: 7.1% |
| Easton and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $157,250±$12k 64% above CT |
$142,325±$10k 49% above CT |
$88,958±$14kLowest 7% below CT |
$222,604±$46kHighest 132% above CT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $503,200±$31k 37% above CT |
$491,500±$17k 34% above CT |
$330,400±$26kLowest 10% below CT |
$783,100±$51kHighest 113% above CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $994±$860Lowest 33% below CT |
$2,172±$161 46% above CT |
— | $3,205±$1kHighest 115% above CT |
| Easton and Orange 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 |
$8,988 35% above CT |
$4,793Lowest 28% below CT |
$10,000+Highest at least 51% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 48.8%±46.4 CT: 52.6% |
64%±12.1 CT: 52.6% |
90%±64.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
21.8%±12.5Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Union and Orange 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% |
5.7% CT: 10% |
6.9%Highest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 95.7%Highest CT: 66.5% |
89.2% CT: 66.5% |
92.9% CT: 66.5% |
88.1%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978Highest 11 yrs newer than CT |
1964Lowest 3 yrs older than CT |
1976 9 yrs newer than CT |
1974 7 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 34 minHighest 29% above CT |
28 minLowest 4% above CT |
32 min 20% above CT |
33 min 24% above CT |
| Work from home | 15.4%±3.3 CT: 16% |
15.6%±2.9 CT: 16% |
9%±3.7Lowest CT: 16% |
21.3%±5.4Highest CT: 16% |
| Easton and Orange 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 | — | #9 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Monroe School District | Orange School District · Regional School District 05 | Union School District | Easton School District |
| High school in town | Masuk High School | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.8 |
— | — | — |
| 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.