Compare towns

Reading vs New Haven vs Peacham

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Reading has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.2%).
New Haven has the shortest commute (22 min average).
Peacham has the most affordable homes ($302k median).

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.

MeasureReadingNew HavenPeacham
People
Population
699Lowest
1,792Highest
887
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-2.5%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-2.3%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
51.1±7.6Highest
19% above VT
48±3.9Lowest
11% above VT
50.1±5.7
16% above VT
Reading and Peacham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.5%±4.2
VT: 17.9%
17.1%±4.4Lowest
VT: 17.9%
20.7%±6Highest
VT: 17.9%
Peacham and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
28.2%±3.3
VT: 21.4%
22.2%±2.4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
33.6%±2.6Highest
VT: 21.4%
Peacham and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
46%
VT: 43.8%
31.8%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
48.9%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.1%±2.5
VT: 7%
0.9%±0.9Lowest
VT: 7%
5.4%±4Highest
VT: 7%
Peacham and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$85,000±$19kLowest
5% above VT
$92,321±$17kHighest
14% above VT
$90,000±$28k
11% above VT
New Haven and Peacham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$377,200±$72k
19% above VT
$379,300±$19kHighest
20% above VT
$302,000±$64kLowest
5% below VT
New Haven and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,100±$331
11% below VT
$1,163±$143Highest
6% below VT
$1,028±$248Lowest
17% below VT
New Haven and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,754
14% above VT
$5,967Highest
18% above VT
$5,605Lowest
11% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
63.3%±31.7
VT: 48.4%
20.1%±6.7Lowest
VT: 48.4%
66.7%±17.7Highest
VT: 48.4%
Peacham and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.4%
VT: 10.1%
3.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
10.6%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
84.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
78.2%
VT: 73.2%
76.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1969Lowest
7 yrs older than VT
1981Highest
5 yrs newer than VT
1976
same as VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 minHighest
41% above VT
22 minLowest
7% below VT
31 min
31% above VT
Work from home
22.9%±10.6
VT: 16.9%
17.8%±5.8Lowest
VT: 16.9%
24.2%±16.9Highest
VT: 16.9%
Peacham and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 Mt. Abraham Unified School District #61 Peacham School District
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story None yet None yet None yet

VT 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.