Cost of Living in Connecticut

(Last Updated – September 5,2025)

Although the Constitution State is a significant hub for insurance, financial services, and world-class education, it’s just as well known for its many charming historic towns. Situated centrally among many of the east coast’s major metropolises -– think New York City, Boston, and Providence for starters -– Connecticut is home to many people who want access to big-city benefits without giving up the peaceful pleasures of small-town living. And let’s not forget the state’s stunning shoreline!

Along with offering a slightly slower pace of life than its neighboring high-rise communities, Connecticut can also provide a more affordable cost of living. For example, a resident can expect to spend about $4,000 less per year on everyday necessities in Connecticut than in Massachusetts. And its average home values are more than $70,000 lower than New York’s.

Interested in learning more about the cost of living in Connecticut? Let’s dive into the details.

What’s the Average Cost of Living in Connecticut?

Average Cost of Living in Connecticut: $65,128 per year

Connecticut enjoys a relatively affordable cost of living, compared to the cost of living in the U.S. or similar northeastern states.

According to the latest cost of living data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), the cost of living in Connecticut is 113.5% of the national average. While that’s still above average, it’s lower than neighboring states Massachusetts (where the cost of living is 145.1% of the national average), New York (124.7%), and New Jersey (114.8%).

So how does that translate into dollars and cents? According to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the per-capita personal consumption expenditures in the state of Connecticut come out to $65,128 per year, per person. (By way of comparison, the national figure is $56,202.)

The breakdown of how those costs are spread across different categories is displayed in the following table.

Budget Category	Annual Expenditure Per Person
Housing and utilities	$11,560
Health care	$10,103
Groceries	$4,474
Gas and transportation	$1,128
All other personal expenses	$37,863

Again, it’s worth bearing in mind that these figures are per person. That means that the average couple would probably spend double this amount ($130,256) per year, while a family of four could spend up to $260,512 (although specifics will vary based on the age of the household members, lifestyle, and other factors.)

Recommended: Best Affordable Places in the U.S.

Housing Costs in Connecticut

Average Housing Cost in Connecticut: $1,037-$2,548 per month

Housing in Connecticut is pricier than the national average — but again, sometimes more affordable than in neighboring states in the northeast. The average home value in the U.S. stands at $368,581 (per Zillow), while the average home value in the state of Connecticut is $437,232, a 3.9% increase over the past year. In New York, the average home value is $509,127, and in Massachusetts $658,406.

These figures can be intimidating if you’re looking into buying your first home. However, there are ways to clear the hurdle. Depending on the type of mortgage loan you can qualify for as a first-time buyer, you may be able to put down as little as 3%. If even that sounds like a lot, down payment assistance programs may also be an option.

Connecticut offers a lot of variety, and home values can vary significantly based on where in the state you’re living. Here are typical home values in five major Connecticut population centers.

Connecticut City	Typical Home Value
Bridgeport	$355,473
Hartford	$200,434
New Haven	$324,594
Norwich	$291,905
Torrington	$292,579

Of course, the value of a home isn’t the same as what you pay each month -– often the biggest line item in your budget. The average monthly mortgage payment in Connecticut is $2,555.84. If, however, you’re planning to rent, below are the median monthly rental housing costs, depending on the size of the home.

Median rent in Connecticut by home size:

•  Studio: $1,037

•  One bedroom: $1,283

•  Two bedrooms: $1,535

•  Three bedrooms: $1,696

•  Four bedrooms: $2,094

•  Five or more bedrooms: $2,548

•  Median gross rent: $1,463

Utility Costs in Connecticut

Average Utility Costs in Connecticut: $478 per month

While the cost of housing itself is usually the biggest line item in a family’s budget, the costs associated with keeping that house up and running can also add up. Here are the average utility costs in Connecticut.

Utility	Average Monthly Cost
Electricity	$203
Water	$45
Natural Gas	$107
Cable & Internet	$123

Food & Beverage

Average Cost of Food & Beverages in Connecticut: $372.83 per month

Keeping the lights on is good, but keeping your body running is even better. Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis’s estimate of a yearly grocery cost of $4,474 per person, that means a Connecticut singleton might expect to pay about $372.83 per month at the market. For a family of four, it’s about $1,491.32.

Again, though, specific costs can vary substantially depending on which Connecticut city you live in. The table below lists Connecticut population centers in order of food expense, using an index that represents the cost of groceries as compared to the national average, set at 100.

Connecticut City	Grocery Items Index
New Haven	101.0
Hartford	102.0
Stamford	104.8

Transportation

Average Cost of Transportation in Connecticut: $10,168-$18,920 per year

Connecticut isn’t a very big state, and if you live in one of its larger cities — like Stamford, Hartford, or New Haven — public transit options may be robust enough to meet your transportation needs.

But for families who live in smaller towns or regularly help their children commute to school activities, car ownership may be a necessity. It’s convenient to have your own ride, but costs can add up, between the vehicle itself, auto insurance, fuel, and maintenance.

Here are the estimated yearly transportation costs based on the size of your family.

Family Size	Yearly Transportation Costs
Single adult	$10,168
Adult couple, no children	$11,767
Adult couple, three children	$18,920

Health Care in Connecticut

Average Cost of Health Care in Connecticut: $10,103 per year

The average Connecticuter can expect to spend $10,103 per year on health care, according to data from the BEA. That comes out to about $841.92 per month, per person.

Again, your overall health care expenditures will vary based on factors like the size and makeup of your family, general health needs, and any medications you may need. This chart shows cost estimates for different family sizes based on the BEA data.

Family Size	Yearly Health Care Cost
One adult	$10,103
Two adults	$20,206
Couple with one child	$30,309
Couple with three children	$50,515

Child Care

Average Cost of Child Care in Connecticut: $1,045-$1,712 per child, per month

You can’t calculate the value of expanding your family, but you can calculate how much care will cost while you’re busy making money to support them. The exact amount you’ll spend depends on how many children you have and what kind of care you’re looking for, but the following figures offer a helpful at-a-glance estimate.

Care Setup	Monthly Cost Per Child in Connecticut
Infant classroom	$1,712
Toddler classroom	$1,712
Preschooler classroom	$1,054
Home-Based family child care	$1,254

Taxes

Top Marginal Income Tax Rate in Connecticut: 6.99%

When it comes to state-levied income taxes, Connecticut is in the middle: The top marginal income tax rate is 6.99%, which is much higher than the 0% income tax rate assessed by states like Florida and Nevada, but far lower than California’s 13.3% or New York’s 10.9% top brackets.

Connecticut’s average property tax is about 1.48% of the owner-occupied property value, the third highest in the country (behind only Illinois and New Jersey). Specific rates can vary by county.

Finally, a sales tax of 6.35% applies to the sale, lease, or rental of most goods in the state, including digital goods.

Miscellaneous Costs

Money pays for the day-to-day necessities of life — but it’s there to have fun with, too. Here are the costs of a few classic Connecticut attractions.

•  Tickets to the Mystic Aquarium: $34+ per adult; $26+ per child aged 3-13 (pricing is dynamic)

•  Tour of Mark Twain’s Childhood Home: $14 per adult, $6 per child aged 6-17

•  Large hot lobster roll at Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock in New London: $29.95

There are also plenty of wonderful things to do and explore in the state that are totally free and open to the public, like the Yale University campus and its art gallery.

How Much Money Do You Need to Live Comfortably in Connecticut?

“Comfortable” is hard to pin down. For some people, comfort can be as simple as a soft place to land and a regular hot meal at home. For others, comfort means going out to eat, living in a luxurious home or apartment, and being able to spend money on travel and entertainment.

Based on the BEA personal expenditure data, the average Connecticuter can expect to spend about $65,128 per year — which suggests that you’d want to earn a bit more than that per year in order to afford to put away some of your income in savings. The median household income in the U.S. is $78,538, which puts living in some parts of Connecticut within reach for many, even though it’s not considered one of the most affordable states. (In the U.S. News & World Report ranking of cost of living, Connecticut comes in at 40.)

What Major City Has the Lowest Cost of Living in Connecticut?

While the state of Connecticut as a whole has a slightly higher cost of living than the national average, some communities are more affordable to live in than others.

Hartford, in particular, has an average cost of living just 1.4% higher than the national average, making it the most affordable of Connecitcut’s major cities. Stamford’s cost of living, by way of contrast, is about 27.3% higher than the national average.

Helpful Resources for Future Connecticut Residents