Signals
Norwalk
Monroe
Opportunity
47 · Bottom 31%
vs49 · Bottom 36%
Growth
56 · Top 39%
vs49 · Bottom 47%
Climate
65 · Bottom 34%
vs74 · Top 35%
Housing affordability
65 · Bottom 27%
vs64 · Bottom 26%
Access
82 · Bottom 25%
vs84 · Bottom 27%
Economic stability
70 · Top 29%
vs65 · Top 40%
Measured values
| Metric | Norwalk | Monroe | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,187 | 19,755 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $107,616 | $110,461 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $61,397 | $43,626 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 4,028/sq mi | 3,099/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $558,000 | $668,400 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $2,073 | $1,950 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 55.6% | 71.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2% | 5.0% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -4.7% | -1.5% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 44.8% | 30.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 9.1% | 7.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 371 | 79 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 4.0 | 4.0 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -6.1% | -11.2% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 83°F | 72°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 22°F | 37°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 47.8" | 33.4" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 36 mi | 27 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 28.9 min | 34.7 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 40.6 | 35.7 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Norwalk
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Monroe
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Full profiles: Norwalk, CT · Monroe, WA · How this is calculated: methodology