Living Cost Compare
New Haven, CT

Cost of Living in New Haven, CT

Population 132,893 · Connecticut

~$1,530/mo est.1BR $1,275Home $249,000
Photo: Zean Wu / Unsplash

The cost of living in New Haven, CT is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,275 a month — 22% higher than the $1,043 median across the 158 large US cities we track. Studios average $1,159 and two-bedrooms $1,473.

Median household income here is $53,771, 21% lower than the $67,696 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,530 before food and transport. Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $1,275
Studio
$1,159
1 Bedroom
$1,275
2 Bedroom
$1,473
3 Bedroom
$1,636
Buying a Home$249,000
Median Home Value
$249,000
Income$53,771
Median Household Income
$53,771
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$60,060

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesNortheast
Milk (gal)
$4.31
Bread (lb)
$1.92
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.90
Chicken (lb)
$2.19
Bananas (lb)
$0.69

Average prices, Northeast (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities24.3¢/kWh
Electricity
24.3¢/kWh
Natural Gas
$23.33/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-06-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.94/gal
Regular Gasoline (East Coast (PADD 1))
$3.94/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-31.

State Taxes (CT)6.35% sales
State Sales Tax
6.35%
State Income Tax (top rate)
Up to 6.99%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime536.3 violent
Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)
536.3
Property Crime (per 100k/yr)
3,601.6

FBI Crime Data Explorer, New Haven Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 31.9 yrs
Median Age
31.9 yrs
Homeownership
28.4%
Bachelor's+ (25+)
37.7%
Avg Commute
21.0 min
Climate52.2°F
Avg Annual Temperature
52.2°F
Annual Precipitation
47.1 in

New Haven cost of living — FAQ

Is New Haven expensive to live in?
New Haven is among the most expensive of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,275 per month ranks #39 of 158 and is 22% higher than the $1,043 median.
What is the average rent in New Haven?
Average rent in New Haven, CT runs a studio around $1,159, a one-bedroom around $1,275, a two-bedroom around $1,473, a three-bedroom around $1,636 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in New Haven?
To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,275 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $51,000 a year. The median household income here is $53,771.
How much does it cost to live in New Haven per month?
A rough monthly baseline for one person in New Haven is about $1,530 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare New Haven with nearby cities

New Haven vs BridgeportNew Haven vs HartfordNew Haven vs New York CityNew Haven vs PatersonNew Haven vs Jersey CityNew Haven vs Newark

Nearby cities

Bridgeport, CT 16 miHartford, CT 34 miNew York City, NY 70 miPaterson, NJ 70 miJersey City, NJ 71 miNewark, NJ 76 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.