Living Cost Compare
New Haven

Connecticut

$1,530/mo est.

vs
Washington

District of Columbia

$2,150/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 $2,150 in Washington, DC. Overall, New Haven, CT is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Washington, DC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,771 in New Haven, CT and $106,287 in Washington, DC — about 49% higher in Washington, DC. Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax; District of Columbia has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

New Haven, CT
Washington, DC

Rent

Studio
$1,159
$1,763
+52% in Washington, DC
1 Bedroom
$1,275
$1,885
+48% in Washington, DC
2 Bedroom
$1,473
$1,949
+32% in Washington, DC
3 Bedroom
$1,636
$2,249
+37% in Washington, DC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$249,000
$724,600
+191% in Washington, DC

Income

Median Household Income
$53,771
$106,287
+98% in Washington, DC
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$60,060
$71,060
+18% in Washington, DC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
31.9 yr
34.9 yr
+3.0 yr in Washington, DC
Homeownership
28.4%
41.1%
+12.7 pp in Washington, DC
Bachelor's+ (25+)
37.7%
63.6%
+25.9 pp in Washington, DC
Avg Commute
21.0 min
30.3 min
+9.3 min in Washington, DC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
536.3
936.3
+75% in Washington, DC
Property Crime
3,601.6
3,627.9
+1% in Washington, DC

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
58.2°F
+6.0°F in Washington, DC
Annual Precipitation
47.1 in
39.7 in
+7.4 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).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
24.3
24.4
+0% in Washington, DC
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$23.33
$27.28
+17% in Washington, DC

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 Washington, DC
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 / DC)
6.35%
6%
+0.3 pp in CT
Income Tax (top rate)
6.99%
10.75%
+3.8 pp in DC

New Haven vs Washington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in New Haven or Washington?
New Haven, CT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,530 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Washington, DC's $2,150, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in New Haven than in Washington?
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 Washington.
Which has lower taxes, New Haven or Washington?
New Haven is taxed under Connecticut's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax); Washington under District of Columbia's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6% 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).