Compare towns

Monroe vs Thompson vs Killingly vs Stepney

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 kids (25.2% under 18).
Thompson has the oldest population (median age 54.1).
Killingly has the most renters (28.4% rent).
Stepney has the most homeowners (96.4%).

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.

MeasureMonroeThompsonKillinglyStepney
People
Population
18,949Highest
9,337
17,867
3,979Lowest
Median age
43.5±2.2
6% above CT
54.1±2.2Highest
32% above CT
39.5±3Lowest
4% below CT
47.1±5.6
15% above CT
Thompson and Stepney 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%
11.4%±2.8Lowest
CT: 20.2%
19.8%±2.3
CT: 20.2%
21.1%±5.6
CT: 20.2%
Monroe and Stepney 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%
24.4%±4.3Highest
CT: 18.5%
19.7%±2.4
CT: 18.5%
17.7%±4.1
CT: 18.5%
Thompson and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
57.3%Highest
CT: 42.5%
21.9%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
22.9%
CT: 42.5%
54.2%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.1%±1.8
CT: 7.1%
2.9%±1.3Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.4%±1.9
CT: 7.1%
10.1%±5.4Highest
CT: 7.1%
Stepney and Killingly 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
$93,629±$18k
about the CT average
$84,350±$8kLowest
12% below CT
$153,966±$16k
61% above CT
Monroe and Stepney 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
$291,900±$24k
20% below CT
$288,600±$15kLowest
21% below CT
$475,800±$53k
30% above CT
Monroe and Stepney 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
$1,012±$344
32% below CT
$1,044±$141
30% below CT
$2,750±$1kHighest
85% above CT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$10,000+Highest
at least 51% above CT
$3,822Lowest
42% below CT
$3,922
41% below CT
$9,309
40% above CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
48.8%±46.4
CT: 52.6%
54%±18.7
CT: 52.6%
42.8%±10.9Lowest
CT: 52.6%
63.2%±48.8Highest
CT: 52.6%
Stepney and Thompson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
2.6%
CT: 10%
5.9%
CT: 10%
11.4%Highest
CT: 10%
0.8%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
95.7%
CT: 66.5%
84.3%
CT: 66.5%
71.6%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
96.4%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1978
11 yrs newer than CT
1963Lowest
4 yrs older than CT
1968
1 yr newer than CT
1982Highest
15 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 min
29% above CT
32 min
20% above CT
28 minLowest
5% above CT
37 minHighest
41% above CT
Work from home
15.4%±3.3Highest
CT: 16%
13.1%±4.4
CT: 16%
11.1%±2.3
CT: 16%
9.8%±4.3Lowest
CT: 16%
Monroe and Thompson 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 #130 of 149 in CT #136 of 149 in CT —
School district Monroe School District Thompson School District Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS —
High school in town Masuk High School Tourtellotte Memorial High School Killingly High School —
Students per teacherat that high school
12.8Highest
7.9Lowest
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.