Compare towns

Orange vs Winsted vs Orange vs Monroe

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Winsted has the most affordable homes ($219k median).
Monroe has the highest household income ($157k).

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.

MeasureOrangeWinstedOrangeMonroe
People
Population
14,315
6,977Lowest
14,315
18,949Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
-6.7%Lowest
CT: +0.9%
+2.3%Highest
CT: +0.9%
—
Median age
45.6±2.4
11% above CT
47.6±7.3Highest
16% above CT
45.6±2.4
11% above CT
43.5±2.2Lowest
6% above CT
Winsted and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
22.9%±2.5
CT: 20.2%
14.4%±3.3Lowest
CT: 20.2%
22.9%±2.5
CT: 20.2%
25.2%±3Highest
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+
23%±2.7
CT: 18.5%
25%±4.2Highest
CT: 18.5%
23%±2.7
CT: 18.5%
15.6%±2Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Winsted and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
59.4%Highest
CT: 42.5%
26.8%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
59.4%Highest
CT: 42.5%
57.3%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.5%±2Highest
CT: 7.1%
4.9%±2.4Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.5%±2Highest
CT: 7.1%
5.1%±1.8
CT: 7.1%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$142,325±$10k
49% above CT
$64,871±$12kLowest
32% below CT
$142,325±$10k
49% above CT
$157,250±$12kHighest
64% above 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
$491,500±$17k
34% above CT
$218,900±$14kLowest
40% below CT
$491,500±$17k
34% above CT
$503,200±$31kHighest
37% above CT
Monroe and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,172±$161Highest
46% above CT
$1,183±$130
20% below CT
$2,172±$161Highest
46% above CT
$994±$860Lowest
33% below CT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$8,988
35% above CT
$3,754Lowest
43% below CT
$8,988
35% above CT
$10,000+Highest
at least 51% above CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
64%±12.1Highest
CT: 52.6%
45.5%±16.7Lowest
CT: 52.6%
64%±12.1Highest
CT: 52.6%
48.8%±46.4
CT: 52.6%
Below poverty line
3.9%
CT: 10%
15.9%Highest
CT: 10%
3.9%
CT: 10%
2.6%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
89.2%
CT: 66.5%
54.7%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
89.2%
CT: 66.5%
95.7%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1964
3 yrs older than CT
1942Lowest
25 yrs older than CT
1964
3 yrs older than CT
1978Highest
11 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 min
4% above CT
25 minLowest
5% below CT
28 min
4% above CT
34 minHighest
29% above CT
Work from home
15.6%±2.9Highest
CT: 16%
7.7%±3.5Lowest
CT: 16%
15.6%±2.9Highest
CT: 16%
15.4%±3.3
CT: 16%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #38 of 149 in CT — #38 of 149 in CT #48 of 149 in CT
School district Orange School District · Regional School District 05 — — Monroe School District
High school in town None 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 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.