Compare towns
Norwalk vs Darien vs Saugatuck
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Norwalk has the most affordable homes ($558k median).
Darien has the most kids (30.9% under 18).
Saugatuck has the oldest population (median age 50.7).
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 | Norwalk | Darien | Saugatuck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 92,187Highest |
21,936 |
2,925Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6.5% CT: +0.9% |
— | — |
| Median age | 40.6±1 about the CT average |
40±1.5Lowest about the CT average |
50.7±7.6Highest 23% above CT |
| Kids under 18 | 18.8%±1.2Lowest CT: 20.2% |
30.9%±2.4Highest CT: 20.2% |
20.4%±5 CT: 20.2% |
| Age 65+ | 17%±1 CT: 18.5% |
13.7%±2.1Lowest CT: 18.5% |
22.7%±5.1Highest CT: 18.5% |
| Saugatuck and Norwalk are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 44.8%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
85.9%Highest CT: 42.5% |
74.6% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.7%±0.8Highest CT: 7.1% |
4.5%±1.4 CT: 7.1% |
2.3%±1.7Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Norwalk and Darien are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $107,616±$7kLowest 12% above CT |
$250,001Highest 161% above CT |
$250,001Highest 161% above CT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $558,000±$21kLowest 52% above CT |
$1,822,400±$171kHighest 397% above CT |
$1,756,400±$353k 379% above CT |
| Darien and Saugatuck are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,073±$87Lowest 39% above CT |
$3,501Highest 135% above CT |
$2,213±$219 49% above CT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,817Lowest 18% above CT |
$10,000+Highest at least 51% above CT |
$10,000+Highest at least 51% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.1%±5.2 CT: 52.6% |
60.8%±11.7Highest CT: 52.6% |
45%±21.6Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Darien and Norwalk are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 9.1%Highest CT: 10% |
5.8% CT: 10% |
2.4%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 55.6%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
82.4% CT: 66.5% |
84.5%Highest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967 same as CT |
1956Lowest 11 yrs older than CT |
1970Highest 3 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 27 minLowest about the CT average |
39 min 46% above CT |
47 minHighest 78% above CT |
| Work from home | 15.1%±1.4Lowest CT: 16% |
35.5%±6.6 CT: 16% |
42.7%±12.1Highest CT: 16% |
| Saugatuck and Darien 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 | #112 of 149 in CT | #2 of 149 in CT | — |
| School district | Norwalk School District | Darien School District | — |
| High school in town | Brien McMahon High School | Darien High School | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 14.7Highest |
10.7Lowest |
— |
| 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.