Compare towns

Putnam vs Springfield vs Exeter

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Putnam has the shortest commute (21 min average).
Springfield has the most expensive homes ($384k median).
Exeter has the most kids (22.7% under 18).

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.

MeasurePutnamSpringfieldExeter
People
Population
540Lowest
1,122Highest
913
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-6.9%
U.S.: +7.4%
-4%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-14.4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
53.6±6.4Highest
38% above U.S.
51.4±8.8Lowest
32% above U.S.
51.7±12.6
33% above U.S.
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%±5.2
U.S.: 22%
15.1%±8Lowest
U.S.: 22%
22.7%±7.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
Exeter and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
35.6%±3.4Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.8%±1.6Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
26.9%±10.5
U.S.: 17.2%
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%
U.S.: 35.7%
36.4%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
28.2%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.8%±1.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
0%±1.5Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
1%±1.9
U.S.: 6.4%
Putnam and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$92,344±$14k
14% above U.S.
$100,893±$19kHighest
25% above U.S.
$77,550±$19kLowest
4% below U.S.
Springfield and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$266,200±$48k
20% below U.S.
$384,100±$50kHighest
15% above U.S.
$243,000±$89kLowest
27% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$1,096±$217Highest
22% below U.S.
$867±$44Lowest
39% below U.S.
Springfield and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,674
18% above U.S.
$5,946Highest
91% above U.S.
$2,926Lowest
6% below U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
25.9%±64.8Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Springfield and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.2%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
4.3%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
95.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
90.7%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
97.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971Lowest
9 yrs older than U.S.
1985Highest
5 yrs newer than U.S.
1977
3 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
21 minLowest
19% below U.S.
34 minHighest
30% above U.S.
29 min
9% above U.S.
Work from home
8.6%±5.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
16.7%±11.6Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
14.4%±10.4
U.S.: 15.1%
Springfield and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district PUTNAM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT — —
High school in town None in town — —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

U.S. 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.