Compare towns
West Haven vs Windham vs Plainfield vs Norwich
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
West Haven has the most expensive homes ($292k median).
Windham has the most affordable homes ($210k median).
Plainfield has the most homeowners (73.6%).
Norwich has the oldest population (median age 38.5).
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 | West Haven | Windham | Plainfield | Norwich |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 55,351Highest |
23,961 |
15,141Lowest |
39,973 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | 0%Highest CT: +0.9% |
— | — | -0.9%Lowest CT: +0.9% |
| Median age | 35.8±1.5 13% below CT |
33.7±1.9Lowest 18% below CT |
37±4.5 10% below CT |
38.5±1.7Highest 6% below CT |
| Norwich and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 20.3%±1.9 CT: 20.2% |
20.1%±2.4 CT: 20.2% |
19.4%±2.6Lowest CT: 20.2% |
20.9%±1.8Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Norwich and West Haven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 16%±1.3 CT: 18.5% |
14.3%±1.9Lowest CT: 18.5% |
16.6%±2.4 CT: 18.5% |
16.9%±1.7Highest CT: 18.5% |
| Norwich and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 30.5%Highest CT: 42.5% |
22.7% CT: 42.5% |
15%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
23.1% CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 13.6%±1.6 CT: 7.1% |
15.2%±1.8Highest CT: 7.1% |
5.6%±1.8Lowest CT: 7.1% |
5.6%±1.2Lowest CT: 7.1% |
| Windham and West Haven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $74,382±$5k 22% below CT |
$55,736±$5kLowest 42% below CT |
$76,993±$8kHighest 20% below CT |
$65,024±$5k 32% below CT |
| Plainfield and West Haven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $291,700±$9kHighest 20% below CT |
$209,800±$9kLowest 43% below CT |
$272,100±$16k 26% below CT |
$242,300±$11k 34% below CT |
| West Haven and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,442±$43Highest 3% below CT |
$1,107±$69Lowest 26% below CT |
$1,204±$70 19% below CT |
$1,253±$68 16% below CT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,941Highest 4% above CT |
$4,633 30% below CT |
$4,209Lowest 37% below CT |
$4,703 29% below CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.4%±5.8 CT: 52.6% |
57.1%±8.1Highest CT: 52.6% |
39.8%±9.5Lowest CT: 52.6% |
56.2%±7.2 CT: 52.6% |
| Windham and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 14.1% CT: 10% |
20.7%Highest CT: 10% |
8.7%Lowest CT: 10% |
16.7% CT: 10% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 50.6% CT: 66.5% |
47.4%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
73.6%Highest CT: 66.5% |
53.8% CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1959 8 yrs older than CT |
1956Lowest 11 yrs older than CT |
1971Highest 4 yrs newer than CT |
1957 10 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 23 minLowest 14% below CT |
24 min 8% below CT |
27 minHighest about the CT average |
24 min 9% below CT |
| Work from home | 9.2%±1.4 CT: 16% |
6.1%±1.7Lowest CT: 16% |
10%±4Highest CT: 16% |
7.2%±2 CT: 16% |
| Plainfield and West Haven 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 | #120 of 149 in CT | #143 of 149 in CT | #131 of 149 in CT | #133 of 149 in CT |
| School district | New Haven School District · West Haven School District | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Eastern Connecticut Regional Educational Service Center (EAS | Plainfield School District | Connecticut Technical Education and Career System · Norwich School District |
| High school in town | West Haven High School | Windham High School | Plainfield High School | Norwich Free Academy |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 15.6Highest |
9.8Lowest |
10.3 |
14.8 |
| 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.