Ellington vs Tolland, CT
These two neighbors get compared constantly, and for good reason — both offer space and a rural feel within reach of Hartford and UConn. They differ more than their similar reputations suggest, mostly in how new the housing is and how you get around.
The short answer
Choose Ellington
Ellington if you want newer construction, working farmland scenery, or the Crystal Lake community — and if a lower tax rate matters.
Choose Tolland
Tolland if you want larger lots and higher ground, a very short run to UConn, and direct I-84 access from town.
Side by side
| Ellington | Tolland | |
|---|---|---|
| Property tax | 25.42 mills≈ $6,228 on a $350,000 assessment | 27.78 mills≈ $6,806 on a $350,000 assessment |
| Housing stock | About 70% single-family detached, with a real rental and condominium component alongside it. The era split is striking: roughly 27% of Ellington homes have been built since 2000 — the newest profile here after Somers — while about 14% predates 1940, reflecting the old town center and the Crystal Lake cottages. An established home here is often being compared against something built very recently. | Overwhelmingly single-family: about 91% of units are detached houses, with very little large multi-family. Under 5% predates 1940 — this is not an old-village housing stock — and building concentrated in the 1960s and again in the 1990s. Because so much of it is one-off and owner-built rather than uniform subdivision product, condition and construction quality vary more here than in a tract-built town. |
| Getting around | No interstate in town: Route 83 runs north–south and Route 140 east–west, with I-84 reached through Vernon. Hartford is roughly 19 miles and UConn Storrs about 17 — figure on 25 to 30 minutes to either in light traffic. | I-84 crosses the town, with Routes 30, 74 and 195 for local traffic. UConn Storrs is close — roughly 9 miles, about 15 minutes — while Hartford is around 21 miles. |
| Water & sewer | Public water is available from Connecticut Water, partly supplied by its Rockville plant in Vernon. Sewers are unusual here: the town runs two separate systems, the Hockanum system and a Crystal Lake system built specifically to eliminate public-health problems from undersized on-lot disposal around the lake. Some Crystal Lake homes are served under an agreement with Stafford. Outside those areas, expect private well and septic. | Predominantly private wells and septic systems. Public water exists but is limited, drawn from Shenipsit Lake and town wells, and sewer service is deliberately constrained: the town's plan recommends limiting sewer expansion to commercial and industrial areas, allowing it in residential areas only where public health requires. For most Tolland properties, budget for a well and septic inspection. |
Tax figures are illustrative. Assessments reflect each town's last revaluation rather than today's market, so rates alone can mislead — see how that works.
Where they actually differ
Taxes
Ellington sits at 25.42 mills, Tolland at 27.78. But Ellington revalued for this grand list while Tolland revalued a year earlier, so compare actual bills on comparable homes rather than the rates alone.
How new the housing is
Ellington has roughly 27% of its homes built since 2000 — one of the newest profiles in the region. Tolland concentrated its building in the 1960s and again in the 1990s, and under 5% predates 1940 in either town.
Highways
Tolland has I-84 running through it. Ellington has no interstate — Route 83 north-south and Route 140 east-west, with I-84 reached through Vernon. For a daily Hartford commute that difference is real.
UConn
Tolland is about 9 miles from Storrs, roughly 15 minutes in light traffic. Ellington is about 17 miles. If someone in the household is tied to the university, this usually decides it.
Water and septic
Ellington has Connecticut Water service in much of town plus two separate sewer systems, one built specifically for Crystal Lake. Tolland is predominantly private well and septic, and its town plan actively restricts sewer expansion into residential areas.
Character
Ellington keeps more than 5,000 acres under cultivation and remains one of Connecticut's largest agricultural towns. Tolland is higher and more wooded, sitting between 500 and over 1,000 feet, with roughly 5,300 acres of open space.
Common questions
Is Ellington or Tolland cheaper to live in?
On property taxes, compare the mill rates above — but do it carefully. Connecticut assesses at 70% of value as of each town's last revaluation, so two towns that revalued in different years are not directly comparable by rate alone. The reliable comparison is actual tax bills on similar homes, which we can pull for you.
Which has better commuting, Ellington or Tolland?
No interstate in town: Route 83 runs north–south and Route 140 east–west, with I-84 reached through Vernon. Hartford is roughly 19 miles and UConn Storrs about 17 — figure on 25 to 30 minutes to either in light traffic. I-84 crosses the town, with Routes 30, 74 and 195 for local traffic. UConn Storrs is close — roughly 9 miles, about 15 minutes — while Hartford is around 21 miles.
Can Boynton Realty help me decide between Ellington and Tolland?
Yes — it's a common conversation. We sell in both towns and can walk you through what your budget actually buys in each, what the tax difference works out to on real homes, and which pockets of each town fit what you're after. Call (860) 798-2103 or send us a note.