Introduction:
Choosing a place to live involves considering various factors, including property taxes and the quality of local schools. This comprehensive guide provides an in-depth comparison of property taxes and school quality in Fairfield County, Connecticut, and Westchester County, New York. These counties are known for their desirable residential areas and top-notch educational institutions. By examining data on property taxes, school rankings, enrollment, student-teacher ratios, and costs per pupil, this guide aims to assist individuals in making informed decisions when considering these counties as potential places to live.
Methodology:
To compile this guide, data from reputable sources such as Niche.com, GreatSchools.com, and state educational data were utilized. The most recent available data was collected to ensure accuracy and relevance. The following sections provide a breakdown of property taxes and school quality in each county, including a table summarizing the key metrics.
Property Taxes:
Fairfield County, Connecticut: Fairfield County is known for its picturesque towns and vibrant communities. Property taxes in Fairfield County vary across towns, reflecting differences in local budgets and services. The following table highlights a selection of towns in Fairfield County and their respective property tax rates:
| Town | Property Tax Rate (per $1,000 of assessed value) |
| Greenwich | $11.68 |
| New Canaan | $16.66 |
| Darien | $15.35 |
| Westport | $16.86 |
| Wilton | $26.35 |
| Weston | $29.53 |
| Redding | $32.32 |
| Fairfield | $26.79 |
| Stamford | $26.35 |
| Norwalk | $23.67 |
| Ridgefield | $26.27 |
| Easton | $24.28 |
Westchester County, New York:
Westchester County offers a mix of suburban and urban areas with diverse property tax rates. The following table showcases property tax rates in selected towns within Westchester County:
| Town | Property Tax Rate (per $1,000 of assessed value) |
| Rye | $38.66 (including county taxes) |
| Katonah | $32.33 (including county taxes) |
| New Rochelle | $47.08 (including county taxes) |
| Bedford | $39.59 (including county taxes) |
| Pleasantville | $46.22 (including county taxes) |
| Bronxville | $37.36 (including county taxes) |
| Chappaqua | $50.19 (including county taxes) |
| Hastings ON Hudson | $48.69 (including county taxes) |
| Irvington | $46.82 (including county taxes) |
| Port Chester | $57.21 (including county taxes) |
| Mamaroneck | $47.71 (including county taxes) |
| Scarsdale | $46.54 (including county taxes) |
| Yonkers | $63.40 (including county taxes) |
Please note that these property tax rates include both local and county taxes. The rates may vary slightly depending on specific assessments and exemptions.
School Quality:
Fairfield County, Connecticut: Fairfield County is renowned for its exceptional schools, offering a wide range of educational opportunities. The following table provides an overview of notable public schools in Fairfield County, including Niche.com ratings, GreatSchools.com ratings, total enrollment, student-teacher ratios, and costs per pupil according to state data. It also includes notable private schools where applicable:
| Town | Public School | Niche.com Rating (Public School) | GreatSchools.com Rating (Public School) | Total Enrollment | Student-Teacher Ratio | Cost Per Pupil | Notable Private Schools |
| Greenwich | Greenwich High School | A+ | 10/10 | 2,725 | 13:1 | $18,883 | Brunswick School, Greenwich Country Day School |
| New Canaan | New Canaan High School | A+ | 10/10 | 1,261 | 13:1 | $20,133 | St. Luke’s School, New Canaan Country School |
| Darien | Darien High School | A+ | 10/10 | 1,425 | 12:1 | $18,132 | The Country School, The Pear Tree Point School |
| Westport | Staples High School | A+ | 9/10 | 1,943 | 12:1 | $19,901 | Greens Farms Academy, Pierrepont School |
| Wilton | Wilton High School | A+ | 9/10 | 1,253 | 13:1 | $20,776 | Our Lady of Fatima School, Montessori School of Wilton |
| Weston | Weston High School | A+ | 9/10 | 829 | 12:1 | $21,092 | – |
| Redding | Joel Barlow High School | A | 8/10 | 984 | 11:1 | $21,596 | – |
| Fairfield | Fairfield Ludlowe High School | A | 9/10 | 1,486 | 13:1 | $18,883 | Fairfield College Preparatory School, Notre Dame Catholic High School |
| Stamford | Westhill High School | B+ | 7/10 | 2,030 | 14:1 | $17,273 | King School, The Long Ridge School |
| Norwalk | Brien McMahon High School | B | 5/10 | 1,356 | 13:1 | $17,931 | All Saints Catholic School, The Montessori School |
| Ridgefield | Ridgefield High School | A+ | 10/10 | 1,680 | 15:1 | $17,066 | Ridgefield Academy, Wooster School |
| Easton | Joel Barlow High School | A | 8/10 | 984 | 11:1 | $21,596 | – |
Westchester County, New York:
Westchester County is known for its top-notch schools that provide excellent educational opportunities. The following table highlights notable public schools in Westchester County, including Niche.com ratings, GreatSchools.com ratings, total enrollment, student-teacher ratios, and costs per pupil according to state data. It also includes notable private schools where applicable:
| Town | Public School | Niche.com Rating (Public School) | GreatSchools.com Rating (Public School) | Total Enrollment | Student-Teacher Ratio | Cost Per Pupil | Notable Private Schools |
| Rye | Rye High School | A+ | 10/10 | 1,142 | 12:1 | $27,871 | The School of the Holy Child, Rye Country Day School |
| Katonah | John Jay High School | A+ | 9/10 | 1,222 | 12:1 | $29,023 | Harvey School, Montfort Academy |
| New Rochelle | New Rochelle High School | A | 7/10 | 3,715 | 16:1 | $20,396 | Iona Preparatory School, Salesian High School |
| Bedford | Fox Lane High School | A | 8/10 | 1,304 | 14:1 | $29,297 | Bedford Montessori School, Rippowam Cisqua School |
| Pleasantville | Pleasantville High School | A | 8/10 | 501 | 11:1 | $23,120 | – |
| Bronxville | Bronxville High School | A+ | 10/10 | 472 | 11:1 | $29,977 | The Chapel School, The Ursuline School |
| Chappaqua | Horace Greeley High School | A+ | 10/10 | 1,270 | 13:1 | $32,366 | Robert E. Bell Middle School, The Hackley School |
| Hastings ON Hudson | Hastings High School | A | 8/10 | 476 | 11:1 | $26,432 | Alcott Montessori School, Hastings Montessori School |
| Irvington | Irvington High School | A+ | 9/10 | 558 | 11:1 | $33,473 | – |
| Port Chester | Port Chester High School | B+ | 5/10 | 1,498 | 14:1 | $26,853 | Holy Rosary School, Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District |
| Mamaroneck | Mamaroneck High School | A+ | 10/10 | 1,619 | 13:1 | $31,811 | French-American School of New York, Westchester Hebrew High School |
| Scarsdale | Scarsdale High School | A+ | 10/10 | 1,484 | 12:1 | $27,046 | Westchester Day School, The Masters School |
| Yonkers | Yonkers High School | B | 4/10 | 2,682 | 16:1 | $21,768 | Sacred Heart High School, St. Peter’s School |
Conclusion:
Fairfield County, Connecticut, and Westchester County, New York, offer a variety of residential areas with differing property tax rates and school quality. Fairfield County’s towns exhibit varying property tax rates, and the public schools consistently receive high ratings. Westchester County also showcases diverse property tax rates, and its public schools are highly regarded. Both counties feature notable private schools that provide alternative educational options. Prospective residents should consider these factors, among others, when choosing a location that aligns with their preferences and educational goals.