Skyline of Norwalk
Cost of Living: 130 92,000

Norwalk, CT, US

Coastal Fairfield County city with the Maritime Aquarium and SoNo entertainment district.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Norwalk is a city in CT with a population of 92,000. Coastal Fairfield County city with the Maritime Aquarium and SoNo entertainment district. Housing is notably more expensive than the national average. The overall cost of living is above the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5a growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. A large share of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 130

Very High vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 145

Above Average

Median Income $80,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.8%

Job market health

Norwalk vs US Average

Cost of Living
Norwalk: 130
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Norwalk: 145
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Norwalk: 5.5%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

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

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $80,000
  • Unemployment: 3.8%
  • Population: 92,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 200/year
  • Summer High: 82°F
  • Winter Low: 24°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5a

Housing

  • Median Home: $500,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1800/mo

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Cost of Living

Norwalk's cost of living index is 130 (US average = 100).

CategoryNorwalkNational AverageDifference
Overall130100+30.0%
Housing145100+45.0%

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

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$500,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1800/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$2,250/mo
Price per Sq Ft$333

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 Norwalk:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$219Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$103Estimated 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$472Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

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

Remote Work Score

Norwalk scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
130
Rent
$1800
Sunny Days
200
Tax
5.5%
Unemployment
3.8%
Climate
82°F / 24°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
92,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Norwalk has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January44°F24°F2.5"
April67°F39°F2.8"
July82°F57°F1.5"
October62°F42°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5a

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Norwalk faces the following natural hazards:

Flood High Risk

Coastal and river flooding.

Blizzard High Risk

Severe winter storms.

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 3.8%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Academic Year September to June
Term System Semester — Fall (Aug-Dec), Spring (Jan-May/June)
Summer Break Late June to September (10 weeks)
Winter Break Late December to early January (2 weeks)
Spring Break March or April (1 week)

State mandates 180 school days. School year typically starts after Labor Day.

Demographics

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

Ethnicity

Asian
4.7%
Black or African American
17.5%
Hispanic or Latino
31.4%
Native American
0.0%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.0%
Other
0.4%
Two or more races
3.2%
White
42.7%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
44.6%
High school graduate
21.7%
Less than high school
11.1%
Some college
22.6%

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 Norwalk, CT, US?

The cost of living index in Norwalk is 130, which is Higher the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Norwalk?

The median home price in Norwalk is $500,000. The housing index is 145.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Norwalk is approximately $1800/mo.

Does Norwalk, CT have income tax?

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

What is the climate like in Norwalk?

Norwalk enjoys approximately 200 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 82°F, while winter lows can drop to around 24°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.