Compare towns

Windsor vs Putney vs Brighton

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Windsor has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.5%).
Putney has the most expensive homes ($300k median).
Brighton has the most affordable homes ($164k 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.

MeasureWindsorPutneyBrighton
People
Population
2,060
2,622Highest
1,167Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.5%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3.1%
VT: +2.8%
-5.3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
44.6±12.3
3% above VT
37.2±5.2Lowest
14% below VT
45.2±11.6Highest
5% above VT
Brighton and Windsor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.1%±8.8Highest
VT: 17.9%
15.4%±4.1Lowest
VT: 17.9%
18.3%±5.7
VT: 17.9%
Windsor and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
29.2%±8Highest
VT: 21.4%
18.1%±3.8Lowest
VT: 21.4%
27.2%±4.6
VT: 21.4%
Windsor and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
40%
VT: 43.8%
48.6%Highest
VT: 43.8%
25.9%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.2%±1.4Lowest
VT: 7%
20.4%±3.4Highest
VT: 7%
4.6%±2.4
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$51,197±$4k
37% below VT
$79,706±$18kHighest
about the VT average
$47,375±$21kLowest
42% below VT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$170,300±$22k
46% below VT
$300,000±$44kHighest
5% below VT
$163,900±$39kLowest
48% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,002±$107Highest
19% below VT
$508±$482Lowest
59% below VT
$775±$33
37% below VT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,878
3% below VT
$5,313Highest
5% above VT
$3,360Lowest
33% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
31.4%±20Lowest
VT: 48.4%
54.2%±19.4
VT: 48.4%
55%±17Highest
VT: 48.4%
Brighton and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.8%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
16%
VT: 10.1%
22%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
51.6%
VT: 73.2%
72.8%Highest
VT: 73.2%
51.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
1977Highest
1 yr newer than VT
1967
9 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
22 min
6% below VT
18 minLowest
24% below VT
33 minHighest
41% above VT
Work from home
6.6%±4.7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
16.9%±6.5Highest
VT: 16.9%
12.4%±8.1
VT: 16.9%
Putney and Brighton 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 #61 of 70 in VT #32 of 70 in VT —
School district — Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 Brighton School District
High school in town — None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

VT 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.