Compare towns

Shelton vs Suffield vs Monroe

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Shelton has the most renters (23.5% rent).
Suffield has the most people working from home (18.4%).
Monroe has the most kids (25.2% 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.

MeasureSheltonSuffieldMonroe
People
Population
41,889Highest
15,702Lowest
18,949
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.3%
CT: +0.9%
— —
Median age
44.5±1.5Highest
8% above CT
44.5±1.7Highest
8% above CT
43.5±2.2Lowest
6% above CT
Kids under 18
18.9%±1.7
CT: 20.2%
16.2%±2Lowest
CT: 20.2%
25.2%±3Highest
CT: 20.2%
Age 65+
21.4%±1.5Highest
CT: 18.5%
18.4%±2.2
CT: 18.5%
15.6%±2Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Shelton and Suffield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
41.7%
CT: 42.5%
40.4%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
57.3%Highest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.8%±1Highest
CT: 7.1%
4.4%±1.2Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.1%±1.8
CT: 7.1%
Shelton and Monroe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$108,185±$11kLowest
13% above CT
$119,472±$13k
25% above CT
$157,250±$12kHighest
64% above CT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$452,600±$13k
23% above CT
$407,500±$26kLowest
11% above CT
$503,200±$31kHighest
37% above CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,741±$216Highest
17% above CT
$1,424±$141
4% below CT
$994±$860Lowest
33% below CT
Shelton and Suffield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,409Lowest
19% below CT
$6,456
about the CT average
$10,000+Highest
at least 51% above CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
53.8%±9.8Highest
CT: 52.6%
51%±4.6
CT: 52.6%
48.8%±46.4Lowest
CT: 52.6%
Shelton and Suffield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6.6%Highest
CT: 10%
4.6%
CT: 10%
2.6%Lowest
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
76.5%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
86.7%
CT: 66.5%
95.7%Highest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1977Lowest
10 yrs newer than CT
1979Highest
12 yrs newer than CT
1978
11 yrs newer than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 min
14% above CT
26 minLowest
3% below CT
34 minHighest
29% above CT
Work from home
13.9%±2.8Lowest
CT: 16%
18.4%±4.1Highest
CT: 16%
15.4%±3.3
CT: 16%
Suffield and Monroe 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 #71 of 149 in CT #57 of 149 in CT #48 of 149 in CT
School district Shelton School District Suffield School District Monroe School District
High school in town Shelton High School Suffield High School Masuk High School
Students per teacherat that high school
14.3Highest
10.9Lowest
12.8
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.