Compare towns

Sutton vs Killingly vs Topsfield vs Sturbridge

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Killingly has the most affordable homes ($289k median).
Topsfield has the most expensive homes ($853k median).
Sturbridge has the oldest population (median age 47.2).

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.

MeasureSuttonKillinglyTopsfieldSturbridge
People
Population
9,452
17,867Highest
6,564Lowest
9,960
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+4.4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
—
+8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+6.5%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
44.3±2.5
14% above U.S.
39.5±3Lowest
about the U.S. average
42.2±1.8
8% above U.S.
47.2±2.6Highest
21% above U.S.
Sturbridge and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
19.6%±3.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
19.8%±2.3
U.S.: 22%
24.8%±4.7Highest
U.S.: 22%
20.7%±3
U.S.: 22%
Topsfield and Sturbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
18.8%±3.2Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.7%±2.4
U.S.: 17.2%
22.4%±3.8Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.8%±3
U.S.: 17.2%
Topsfield and Sturbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
52.8%
U.S.: 35.7%
22.9%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
71.8%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
49.3%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.9%±1.8
U.S.: 6.4%
5.4%±1.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.8%±1.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.6%±1.5
U.S.: 6.4%
Killingly and Sturbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$147,125±$25k
82% above U.S.
$84,350±$8kLowest
4% above U.S.
$195,718±$16kHighest
142% above U.S.
$136,759±$15k
69% above U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$523,100±$47k
57% above U.S.
$288,600±$15kLowest
13% below U.S.
$853,400±$40kHighest
157% above U.S.
$425,800±$18k
28% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,190±$401
16% below U.S.
$1,044±$141Lowest
26% below U.S.
$1,115±$538
21% below U.S.
$1,193±$398Highest
16% below U.S.
Sturbridge and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,763
117% above U.S.
$3,922Lowest
26% above U.S.
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
$6,520
109% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
47.5%±24.4Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
42.8%±10.9
U.S.: 51.1%
41.9%±40.8Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
42%±17.7
U.S.: 51.1%
Sutton and Killingly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
11.4%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
7.5%
U.S.: 12.5%
3.7%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
89.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
71.6%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
90.4%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
86.3%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981
1 yr newer than U.S.
1968Lowest
12 yrs older than U.S.
1969
11 yrs older than U.S.
1982Highest
2 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 min
12% above U.S.
28 min
6% above U.S.
28 minLowest
4% above U.S.
38 minHighest
43% above U.S.
Work from home
22.7%±4.1
U.S.: 15.1%
11.1%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
29.4%±8.1Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
19.8%±4.8
U.S.: 15.1%
Topsfield and Sutton 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 #105 of 282 in MA #136 of 149 in CT #172 of 282 in MA #89 of 282 in MA
School district Sutton Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS Topsfield Sturbridge · Tantasqua
High school in town Sutton High School Killingly High School None in town Tantasqua Regional Sr High
Students per teacherat that high school
12.6Highest
11.1
—
7.7Lowest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet 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.