Living in New Haven, CT
New Haven is the 206th-largest city in the US, home to about 139,000 people in 2025. It has grown 3.6% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run above the national average (104.6 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 138,774+3.6% since 2020
- Median home value
- $287,1005.1 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,488/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $56,851median, per year
- Price level
- 104.6US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 38° / 82°lows 23° / 66°
- Average commute
- 22 min14% work from home
- State income tax
- 6.99%top rate, graduated
Been to New Haven?
Added to your city passport. See things to do
Added to the wishlist on your city passport.
County: New Haven County
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 59 ft
Metro area: New Haven, CT
Cost of living in New Haven
The median home in New Haven is worth $287,100 and the median household earns $56,851 a year, so a typical home costs about 5.1 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,488 a month, about 31% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the New Haven, CT metro area at 104.6, with housing at 124.3 and goods at 97.3 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $78,400 here. Connecticut taxes wages at a top rate of 6.99%. The average combined state and local sales tax in Connecticut is 6.35%.
What would my salary be worth in New Haven?
New Haven weather
Average highs run from 38°F in January to 82°F in July, and January nights average 23°F. It gets 42 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 34 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 102 times a year. The most comfortable months are May to October.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit New Haven
People and work
The median resident is 31.9 years old, and 39% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 28% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 22 minutes; 14% of workers work from home and 7% take public transit.
- Median age
- 31.954th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 39%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 28%of households
- People per sq mile
- 7,42518.7 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 7%14% walk, 1.3% bike
- Unemployment
- 8.4%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 23.9%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1954median year
Who moves to New Haven, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Cambridge (Middlesex County), Boston (Suffolk County) and Los Angeles (Los Angeles County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Cambridge (Middlesex County), Boston (Suffolk County) and Los Angeles (Los Angeles County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Home prices
+6% in a year
Up 55% over five years. FHFA house price index for the New Haven, CT area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
67% good days
13 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the New Haven-Milford, CT area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index () combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near New Haven
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Yale University in New Haven
- Connecticut State Community College 34 miles
- Wesleyan University 22 miles
- Stony Brook University 29 miles
- Post University 18 miles
- Suffolk County Community College 32 miles
- Sacred Heart University 17 miles
- Central Connecticut State University 28 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near New Haven
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport HVN | 4 mi | 589,409 |
| Long Island MacArthur Airport ISP | 37 mi | 682,804 |
| Westchester County Airport HPN | 44 mi | 1,182,384 |
| Bradley International Airport BDL | 45 mi | 3,285,194 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near New Haven
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Post University | 18 mi | 13,603 | $20,694 | 34% |
| Sacred Heart University | 17 mi | 7,087 | $45,827 | 77% |
| Yale University | in town | 6,758 | $11,340 | 96% |
| Quinnipiac University | 8 mi | 6,531 | $41,729 | 79% |
| Southern Connecticut State University | 2 mi | 6,295 | $21,029 | 50% |
| Fairfield University | 20 mi | 5,373 | $49,906 | 85% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in New Haven
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before April 17, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 15 and the first frost comes around October 27.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for New Haven Tweed Airport, CT, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for New Haven.
Wildfire smoke in New Haven
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered New Haven on about 106 days a year, including about 25 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in New Haven
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 54,773 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in New Haven
Downtown New Haven is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Haven School District | Pre-K to 12 | 18,817 | 37 | 12.0 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Stratford School District (6,578 students), West Haven School District (5,950 students), Hamden School District (5,464 students), Wallingford School District (5,241 students), Milford School District (5,218 students), Shelton School District (4,518 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
New Haven's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to New Haven's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Aurora, IL78% matchCompare
- Chicago, IL78% matchCompare
- Schaumburg, IL75% matchCompare
- Elgin, IL75% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Ski resorts near New Haven
- Powder Ridge Ski Area 17 miles
- Mount Southington 19 miles
- Woodbury Ski Area 26 miles
- Thunder Ridge Ski Area 37 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in New Haven
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Nothing stands out in the data. Locals, what do you love about New Haven?
Cons
- Data Poverty is high: 23.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
New Haven report card from locals
0 of 5 reports so far. We show the New Haven report card once 5 residents have rated it, so one opinion never stands in for a whole city. Live here? Add yours.
Rate New Haven (2 minutes)
Lived here once? Map every city you have lived in and see how your homes compare.
Ask a local about New Haven
No questions yet. Thinking about a move? Ask about neighborhoods, schools, winters, traffic or anything else, and people who live in New Haven can answer.
New Haven through locals' eyes
No resident photos yet. Share the view from your street, your favorite park or the city on a good day.
Share a photo
Contributions are read by a person before they appear. We remove ads, links, personal attacks and anything about private people. See the most helpful locals.
Cities near New Haven
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport, CT | 17 mi | 152,273 | $274,900 | 106.9 | Compare |
| Waterbury, CT | 18 mi | 115,771 | $208,500 | 99.8 | Compare |
| New Britain, CT | 26 mi | 76,286 | $223,600 | 102.7 | Compare |
| Danbury, CT | 28 mi | 89,033 | $411,200 | 106.9 | Compare |
| Norwalk, CT | 28 mi | 94,508 | $558,000 | 106.9 | Compare |
| Hartford, CT | 35 mi | 121,981 | $228,600 | 102.7 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare New Haven with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is New Haven a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show 6 comfortable months a year, short commutes. Compare New Haven side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of New Haven?
The Census Bureau estimates New Haven had 138,774 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 134,014 in April 2020 (+3.6%).
How much do you need to earn to live in New Haven?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $78,400 in the New Haven area. The median household here earns $56,851.
When is the best time to visit New Haven?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May to October are the most comfortable months. July averages 82°F and January 38°F for daytime highs.
What county is New Haven in?
New Haven is in New Haven County, Connecticut. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is New Haven in?
New Haven is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of New Haven?
About 59 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Connecticut have a state income tax?
Yes. Connecticut has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 6.99% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of New Haven. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the New Haven, CT metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, New Haven Tweed Airport, CT station; snowfall from Bridgeport Sikorsky Mem Airport, CT. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.