Skyline of New Haven
Cost of Living: 110 130,000

New Haven, CT, US

Home of Yale University with a vibrant cultural scene, pizza heritage, and coastal location.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

New Haven is a city in CT with a population of 130,000. Home of Yale University with a vibrant cultural scene, pizza heritage, and coastal location. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5a growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. The population skews young, with a median age of 31.9.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 110

Above Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 115

Above Average

Median Income $58,000

Household income

Unemployment 4.8%

Job market health

New Haven vs US Average

Cost of Living
New Haven: 110
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
New Haven: 115
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
New Haven: 5.5%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 5.5%
  • Sales Tax: 6.3%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $58,000
  • Unemployment: 4.8%
  • Population: 130,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 195/year
  • Summer High: 82°F
  • Winter Low: 22°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5a

Housing

  • Median Home: $280,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1400/mo

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Cost of Living

New Haven's cost of living index is 110 (US average = 100).

CategoryNew HavenNational AverageDifference
Overall110100+10.0%
Housing115100+15.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$280,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1400/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,750/mo
Price per Sq Ft$186

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in New Haven:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$219Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$111Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$75Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$75Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities$480Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

New Haven scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
110
Rent
$1400
Sunny Days
195
Tax
5.5%
Unemployment
4.8%
Climate
82°F / 22°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
130,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

New Haven has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January42°F22°F2.5"
April67°F37°F2.8"
July82°F57°F1.5"
October62°F40°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5a

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

New Haven faces the following natural hazards:

Blizzard High Risk

Severe winter storms.

Flood High Risk

Coastal flooding.

Hurricane Moderate Risk

Coastal areas affected by hurricanes.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 5.5%
  • Sales Tax: 6.35%
  • Property Tax: ~2.14% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 4.8%.

Schools & Education

57/100
School Quality Score
Better than 37% of US cities
?
42
Total Schools
9.9:1
Student:Teacher
89.7%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of New Haven is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
5.1%
Black or African American
29.0%
Hispanic or Latino
31.2%
Native American
0.1%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.0%
Other
1.4%
Two or more races
3.8%
White
29.3%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
37.7%
High school graduate
29.1%
Less than high school
14.0%
Some college
19.1%

Religion

Christian
60.0%
Jewish
4.0%
Other
6.0%
Unaffiliated
30.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in New Haven, CT, US?

The cost of living index in New Haven is 110, which is Higher the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in New Haven?

The median home price in New Haven is $280,000. The housing index is 115.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in New Haven is approximately $1400/mo.

Does New Haven, CT have income tax?

New Haven is in CT, which has an income tax rate of 5.5%.

What is the climate like in New Haven?

New Haven enjoys approximately 195 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 82°F, while winter lows can drop to around 22°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.