Living Cost Compare
New Haven

Connecticut

$1,530/mo est.

vs
San Diego

California

$2,220/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 $2,220 in San Diego, CA. Overall, New Haven, CT is roughly 31% cheaper to live in day-to-day than San Diego, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,771 in New Haven, CT and $104,321 in San Diego, CA — about 48% higher in San Diego, CA. Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax; California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax.

New Haven, CT
San Diego, CA

Rent

Studio
$1,159
$1,737
+50% in San Diego, CA
1 Bedroom
$1,275
$1,883
+48% in San Diego, CA
2 Bedroom
$1,473
$2,348
+59% in San Diego, CA
3 Bedroom
$1,636
$2,818
+72% in San Diego, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$249,000
$848,500
+241% in San Diego, CA

Income

Median Household Income
$53,771
$104,321
+94% in San Diego, CA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$60,060
$58,690
+2% in New Haven, CT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
31.9 yr
36.0 yr
+4.1 yr in San Diego, CA
Homeownership
28.4%
47.6%
+19.2 pp in San Diego, CA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
37.7%
49.9%
+12.2 pp in San Diego, CA
Avg Commute
21.0 min
23.9 min
+2.9 min in San Diego, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
536.3
414.3
+23% in New Haven, CT
Property Crime
3,601.6
1,693.6
+53% 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
63.6°F
+11.4°F in San Diego, CA
Annual Precipitation
47.1 in
10.3 in
+36.8 in in New Haven, CT

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$5.52/gal
+40% in San Diego, CA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs California.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$2.50

Adult base one-way fare — — vs MTS (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
24.3
34.7
+43% in San Diego, CA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$23.33
$20.33
+13% in New Haven, CT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.82
+12% in San Diego, CA
Bread (lb)
$1.92
$2.04
+6% in San Diego, CA
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.90
$7.36
+7% in San Diego, CA
Chicken (lb)
$2.19
$2.01
+8% in New Haven, CT
Bananas (lb)
$0.69
$0.70
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CT / CA)
6.35%
7.25%
+0.9 pp in CA
Income Tax (top rate)
6.99%
13.30%
+6.3 pp in CA

New Haven vs San Diego — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in New Haven or San Diego?
New Haven, CT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,530 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below San Diego, CA's $2,220, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in New Haven than in San Diego?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $51,000 a year in New Haven versus $75,000 in San Diego.
Which has lower taxes, New Haven or San Diego?
New Haven is taxed under Connecticut's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax); San Diego under California's (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% 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).