Compare towns
Salem vs Hampton vs Pomfret
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Salem has the highest household income ($123k).
Hampton has the most affordable homes ($296k median).
Pomfret has the shortest commute (24 min average).
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 | Salem | Hampton | Pomfret |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,282 |
1,647Lowest |
4,317Highest |
| Median age | 40.9±5.4Lowest about the CT average |
51.5±5.3Highest 25% above CT |
45.9±3.7 12% above CT |
| Hampton and Pomfret are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 23.2%±5.1Highest CT: 20.2% |
19.7%±5.3Lowest CT: 20.2% |
23.1%±4.9 CT: 20.2% |
| Salem and Pomfret are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 19.7%±4.7 CT: 18.5% |
26.1%±2.1Highest CT: 18.5% |
17.8%±4.5Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Hampton and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 50.6% CT: 42.5% |
29.9%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
50.8%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.8%±3.3Highest CT: 7.1% |
1.9%±1.1Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.6%±1.9 CT: 7.1% |
| Salem and Pomfret are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $123,245±$8kHighest 29% above CT |
$109,167±$19k 14% above CT |
$108,476±$8kLowest 13% above CT |
| Salem and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $403,600±$33k 10% above CT |
$295,800±$27kLowest 19% below CT |
$409,100±$28kHighest 12% above CT |
| Pomfret and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,440±$150Highest 3% below CT |
$1,285±$288 14% below CT |
$1,210±$300Lowest 19% below CT |
| Salem and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,668Highest about the CT average |
$4,364Lowest 34% below CT |
$5,903 11% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 32.1%±26Lowest CT: 52.6% |
52.5%±51.5 CT: 52.6% |
61.9%±15.3Highest CT: 52.6% |
| Pomfret and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 6.2%Highest CT: 10% |
5.7%Lowest CT: 10% |
6% CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 86.6% CT: 66.5% |
90%Highest CT: 66.5% |
80.5%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 21 yrs newer than CT |
1980 13 yrs newer than CT |
1978Lowest 11 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 19% above CT |
29 min 9% above CT |
24 minLowest 11% below CT |
| Work from home | 18%±9.6Highest CT: 16% |
17.7%±5.1 CT: 16% |
13.2%±5.2Lowest CT: 16% |
| Salem and Hampton 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 | #11 of 149 in CT | — | #39 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Salem School District | Hampton School District | Pomfret School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| 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.