Compare towns

Torrington vs Griswold vs Meriden

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Torrington has the most affordable homes ($216k median).
Griswold has the most expensive homes ($276k median).
Meriden has the most kids (21.9% 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.

MeasureTorringtonGriswoldMeriden
People
Population
35,547
11,530Lowest
60,545Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-2.4%Lowest
CT: +0.9%
—
0%Highest
CT: +0.9%
Median age
42.9±1.8
4% above CT
48.1±3.9Highest
17% above CT
38.9±1.3Lowest
5% below CT
Griswold and Torrington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.9%±1.6Lowest
CT: 20.2%
18.5%±3.7
CT: 20.2%
21.9%±1.6Highest
CT: 20.2%
Meriden and Griswold are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.2%±1.5Highest
CT: 18.5%
17.8%±3.5
CT: 18.5%
16.2%±1.2Lowest
CT: 18.5%
Torrington and Griswold are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
24.8%Highest
CT: 42.5%
19.9%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
22.2%
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.7%±1.1
CT: 7.1%
1.8%±1.1Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.6%±0.9Highest
CT: 7.1%
Meriden and Torrington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$70,856±$5kLowest
26% below CT
$78,719±$11kHighest
18% below CT
$71,253±$4k
26% below CT
Griswold and Meriden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$215,500±$8kLowest
41% below CT
$275,900±$42kHighest
25% below CT
$241,200±$7k
34% below CT
Griswold and Meriden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,169±$43Lowest
21% below CT
$1,177±$65
21% below CT
$1,294±$72Highest
13% below CT
Meriden and Griswold are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,042
24% below CT
$4,628Lowest
30% below CT
$5,129Highest
23% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
48%±6.3Lowest
CT: 52.6%
57.5%±15.5Highest
CT: 52.6%
53.4%±4.9
CT: 52.6%
Griswold and Meriden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
13.7%Highest
CT: 10%
7.6%Lowest
CT: 10%
13.2%
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
66.1%
CT: 66.5%
73.3%Highest
CT: 66.5%
60.1%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1960Lowest
7 yrs older than CT
1977Highest
10 yrs newer than CT
1960Lowest
7 yrs older than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 min
6% below CT
31 minHighest
17% above CT
23 minLowest
13% below CT
Work from home
9%±1.6Highest
CT: 16%
9%±3.6Highest
CT: 16%
8.6%±1.6Lowest
CT: 16%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #132 of 149 in CT #118 of 149 in CT #124 of 149 in CT
School district Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Torrington School District Griswold School District Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Meriden School District
High school in town Torrington High School Griswold High School Francis T. Maloney High School
Students per teacherat that high school
11.9
11.5Lowest
16.2Highest
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.