Compare towns

Torrington vs Monroe 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).
Monroe has the highest household income ($157k).
Meriden has the youngest population (median age 38.9).

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.

MeasureTorringtonMonroeMeriden
People
Population
35,547
18,949Lowest
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
43.5±2.2Highest
6% above CT
38.9±1.3Lowest
5% below CT
Monroe 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%
25.2%±3Highest
CT: 20.2%
21.9%±1.6
CT: 20.2%
Monroe and Meriden 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%
15.6%±2Lowest
CT: 18.5%
16.2%±1.2
CT: 18.5%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
24.8%
CT: 42.5%
57.3%Highest
CT: 42.5%
22.2%Lowest
CT: 42.5%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.7%±1.1Lowest
CT: 7.1%
5.1%±1.8
CT: 7.1%
5.6%±0.9Highest
CT: 7.1%
Meriden and Monroe 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
$157,250±$12kHighest
64% above CT
$71,253±$4k
26% below CT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$215,500±$8kLowest
41% below CT
$503,200±$31kHighest
37% above CT
$241,200±$7k
34% below CT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,169±$43
21% below CT
$994±$860Lowest
33% below CT
$1,294±$72Highest
13% below CT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,042Lowest
24% below CT
$10,000+Highest
at least 51% above CT
$5,129
23% below CT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
48%±6.3Lowest
CT: 52.6%
48.8%±46.4
CT: 52.6%
53.4%±4.9Highest
CT: 52.6%
Meriden and Monroe 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%
2.6%Lowest
CT: 10%
13.2%
CT: 10%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
66.1%
CT: 66.5%
95.7%Highest
CT: 66.5%
60.1%Lowest
CT: 66.5%
Typical home builtmedian year
1960Lowest
7 yrs older than CT
1978Highest
11 yrs newer than CT
1960Lowest
7 yrs older than CT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 min
6% below CT
34 minHighest
29% above CT
23 minLowest
13% below CT
Work from home
9%±1.6
CT: 16%
15.4%±3.3Highest
CT: 16%
8.6%±1.6Lowest
CT: 16%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #132 of 149 in CT #48 of 149 in CT #124 of 149 in CT
School district Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Torrington School District Monroe School District Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Meriden School District
High school in town Torrington High School Masuk High School Francis T. Maloney High School
Students per teacherat that high school
11.9Lowest
12.8
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.