Living Cost Compare
New Haven

Connecticut

$1,530/mo est.

vs
Newark

Delaware

$1,620/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,530 in New Haven, CT versus $1,620 in Newark, DE. Overall, New Haven, CT is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Newark, DE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,771 in New Haven, CT and $71,373 in Newark, DE — about 25% higher in Newark, DE. Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax; Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax.

New Haven, CT
Newark, DE

Rent

Studio
$1,159
$1,649
+42% in Newark, DE
1 Bedroom
$1,275
$1,391
+9% in Newark, DE
2 Bedroom
$1,473
$1,513
+3% in Newark, DE
3 Bedroom
$1,636
$1,916
+17% in Newark, DE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$249,000
$357,600
+44% in Newark, DE

Income

Median Household Income
$53,771
$71,373
+33% in Newark, DE
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$60,060
$54,310
+10% in New Haven, CT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
31.9 yr
22.0 yr
+9.9 yr in New Haven, CT
Homeownership
28.4%
50.3%
+21.9 pp in Newark, DE
Bachelor's+ (25+)
37.7%
57.5%
+19.8 pp in Newark, DE
Avg Commute
21.0 min
19.6 min
+1.4 min in New Haven, CT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
536.3
326.3
+39% in New Haven, CT
Property Crime
3,601.6
2,024.6
+44% in New Haven, CT

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
52.2°F
54.9°F
+2.7°F in Newark, DE
Annual Precipitation
47.1 in
43.1 in
+4.0 in in New Haven, CT

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.94/gal
about equal

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
24.3
19.3
+21% in New Haven, CT
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$23.33
$29.73
+27% in Newark, DE

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.00
+7% in New Haven, CT
Bread (lb)
$1.92
$1.75
+9% in New Haven, CT
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.21
+1% in Newark, DE
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.90
$6.45
+6% in New Haven, CT
Chicken (lb)
$2.19
$1.90
+13% in New Haven, CT
Bananas (lb)
$0.69
$0.62
+11% in New Haven, CT

Average prices — Northeast vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CT / DE)
6.35%
None
+6.3 pp in CT
Income Tax (top rate)
6.99%
6.60%
+0.4 pp in CT

New Haven vs Newark — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in New Haven or Newark?
New Haven, CT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,530 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Newark, DE's $1,620, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in New Haven than in Newark?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $51,000 a year in New Haven versus $56,000 in Newark.
Which has lower taxes, New Haven or Newark?
New Haven is taxed under Connecticut's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax); Newark under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).