Compare towns

Putnam vs Richfield vs Exeter

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Putnam has grown the fastest since 2010 (-6.9%).
Richfield has the most affordable homes ($146k median).
Exeter has the most people working from home (14.4%).

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.

MeasurePutnamRichfieldExeter
People
Population
540Lowest
1,949Highest
913
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-6.9%Highest
NY: +4.2%
-13.5%
NY: +4.2%
-14.4%Lowest
NY: +4.2%
Median age
53.6±6.4Highest
35% above NY
37±7.3Lowest
7% below NY
51.7±12.6
30% above NY
Putnam and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.4%±5.2Lowest
NY: 20.5%
17.8%±4.7
NY: 20.5%
22.7%±7.1Highest
NY: 20.5%
Exeter and Richfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
35.6%±3.4Highest
NY: 17.9%
21.8%±2Lowest
NY: 17.9%
26.9%±10.5
NY: 17.9%
Putnam and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
31.4%Highest
NY: 40.2%
26.5%Lowest
NY: 40.2%
28.2%
NY: 40.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.8%±1.9
NY: 7%
5.7%±4.2Highest
NY: 7%
1%±1.9Lowest
NY: 7%
Richfield and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$92,344±$14kHighest
7% above NY
$59,833±$14kLowest
30% below NY
$77,550±$19k
10% below NY
Putnam and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$266,200±$48kHighest
37% below NY
$146,400±$15kLowest
65% below NY
$243,000±$89k
43% below NY
Putnam and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$802±$72Lowest
51% below NY
$867±$44Highest
47% below NY
Exeter and Richfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,674Highest
44% below NY
$2,207Lowest
66% below NY
$2,926
56% below NY
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
0%±100Lowest
NY: 52.1%
39.1%±18.6Highest
NY: 52.1%
0%±100Lowest
NY: 52.1%
Richfield and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.2%
NY: 14%
18.2%Highest
NY: 14%
4.3%Lowest
NY: 14%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
95.9%
NY: 54.3%
71.7%Lowest
NY: 54.3%
97.7%Highest
NY: 54.3%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971
12 yrs newer than NY
1947Lowest
12 yrs older than NY
1977Highest
18 yrs newer than NY
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
21 minLowest
34% below NY
31 minHighest
5% below NY
29 min
12% below NY
Work from home
8.6%±5.7
NY: 14.9%
4.9%±3.6Lowest
NY: 14.9%
14.4%±10.4Highest
NY: 14.9%
Exeter and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district PUTNAM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT RICHFIELD SPRINGS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT —
High school in town None in town None in town —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

NY 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.