Compare towns
Wilton vs Redding vs Darien
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Connecticut.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Wilton has the shortest commute (36 min average).
Redding has the most affordable homes ($706k median).
Darien has the most expensive homes ($1822k median).
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 | Wilton | Redding | Darien |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 18,777 |
8,780Lowest |
21,936Highest |
| Median age | 43.1±1.7 5% above CT |
52±2Highest 27% above CT |
40±1.5Lowest about the CT average |
| Kids under 18 | 27.3%±2.6 CT: 20.2% |
19.1%±2.8Lowest CT: 20.2% |
30.9%±2.4Highest CT: 20.2% |
| Darien and Wilton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 16%±1.7 CT: 18.5% |
26.4%±3.3Highest CT: 18.5% |
13.7%±2.1Lowest CT: 18.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 75.2% CT: 42.5% |
72.1%Lowest CT: 42.5% |
85.9%Highest CT: 42.5% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.6%±1.2Highest CT: 7.1% |
3.8%±1.8Lowest CT: 7.1% |
4.5%±1.4 CT: 7.1% |
| Wilton and Darien are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $242,199±$16k 153% above CT |
$186,060±$15kLowest 94% above CT |
$250,001Highest 161% above CT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $928,800±$28k 153% above CT |
$706,300±$33kLowest 93% above CT |
$1,822,400±$171kHighest 397% above CT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,819±$438Lowest 22% above CT |
$2,101±$304 41% above CT |
$3,501Highest 135% above CT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+ at least 51% above CT |
$10,000+ at least 51% above CT |
$10,000+ at least 51% above CT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.6%±15.7Lowest CT: 52.6% |
64.9%±19.3Highest CT: 52.6% |
60.8%±11.7 CT: 52.6% |
| Redding and Darien are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 2.4%Lowest CT: 10% |
4% CT: 10% |
5.8%Highest CT: 10% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 88.6% CT: 66.5% |
91.6%Highest CT: 66.5% |
82.4%Lowest CT: 66.5% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1970 3 yrs newer than CT |
1972Highest 5 yrs newer than CT |
1956Lowest 11 yrs older than CT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 36 minLowest 35% above CT |
36 min 36% above CT |
39 minHighest 46% above CT |
| Work from home | 33.8%±3.7 CT: 16% |
32.5%±4.9Lowest CT: 16% |
35.5%±6.6Highest CT: 16% |
| Darien and Wilton 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 | #6 of 149 in CT | #14 of 149 in CT | #2 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Wilton School District | Redding School District · Regional School District 09 | Darien School District |
| High school in town | Wilton High School | Joel Barlow High School | Darien High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 12.1Highest |
11.1 |
10.7Lowest |
| 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.