Compare towns
Salem vs Sterling vs Killingly vs East Haddam
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 most expensive homes ($404k median).
Sterling has the most affordable homes ($283k median).
Killingly has the most renters (28.4% rent).
East Haddam has the oldest population (median age 50).
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 | Sterling | Killingly | East Haddam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,282 |
3,629Lowest |
17,867Highest |
8,969 |
| Median age | 40.9±5.4 about the CT average |
39.4±5.9Lowest 4% below CT |
39.5±3 4% below CT |
50±2.9Highest 22% above CT |
| Kids under 18 | 23.2%±5.1Highest CT: 20.2% |
22.8%±5.9 CT: 20.2% |
19.8%±2.3 CT: 20.2% |
17.2%±3.7Lowest CT: 20.2% |
| Salem and Sterling 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% |
13%±3.8Lowest CT: 18.5% |
19.7%±2.4 CT: 18.5% |
25.6%±3.7Highest CT: 18.5% |
| East Haddam 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%Highest CT: 42.5% |
18%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
22.9% CT: 42.5% |
38.1% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.8%±3.3Highest CT: 7.1% |
3.7%±1.9Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.4%±1.9 CT: 7.1% |
5.3%±2.5 CT: 7.1% |
| Salem and Killingly 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 |
$102,695±$12k 7% above CT |
$84,350±$8kLowest 12% below CT |
$107,861±$9k 13% above CT |
| Salem and East Haddam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $403,600±$33kHighest 10% above CT |
$283,400±$17kLowest 23% below CT |
$288,600±$15k 21% below CT |
$352,700±$24k 4% below CT |
| Salem and East Haddam 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 |
— | $1,044±$141Lowest 30% below CT |
$1,242±$331 17% below CT |
| Salem and East Haddam 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 |
$4,551 31% below CT |
$3,922Lowest 41% below CT |
$5,724 14% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 32.1%±26 CT: 52.6% |
32%±18.1 CT: 52.6% |
42.8%±10.9Highest CT: 52.6% |
26%±13Lowest CT: 52.6% |
| Killingly and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 6.2% CT: 10% |
8.3% CT: 10% |
11.4%Highest CT: 10% |
4.4%Lowest CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 86.6% CT: 66.5% |
81.1% CT: 66.5% |
71.6%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
88.8%Highest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 21 yrs newer than CT |
1988Highest 21 yrs newer than CT |
1968Lowest 1 yr newer than CT |
1976 9 yrs newer than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 19% above CT |
35 minHighest 34% above CT |
28 minLowest 5% above CT |
30 min 14% above CT |
| Work from home | 18%±9.6 CT: 16% |
11.6%±6.4 CT: 16% |
11.1%±2.3Lowest CT: 16% |
18.4%±3.5Highest CT: 16% |
| East Haddam and Salem 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 | #119 of 149 in CT | #136 of 149 in CT | #68 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Salem School District | Sterling School District | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS | East Haddam School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Killingly High School | Nathan Hale-Ray High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 11.1Highest |
7.9Lowest |
| 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.