Best places to live in Connecticut
We cover 8 places in Connecticut, home to 928,000 residents. The largest is Bridgeport (152,000), the fastest growing since 2020 is New Haven (+3.6%), and the lowest metro price level is in Waterbury (99.8). The top state income tax rate is 6.99%. The average combined sales tax is 6.35%.
Best places to live in Connecticut, ranked
Each city gets a score out of 100 from six official measures, weighted as shown: home prices compared with income (25%), household income (15%), population growth since 2020 (15%), short commutes (15%), comfortable months of weather (15%) and low poverty (15%). Scores compare all 546 large US cities, so a 70 in Connecticut means the same as a 70 anywhere. See the national ranking and method.
| # | City | Score | Home value to income | Income | Growth | Commute | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norwalk | 59 | 5.2× | $107,616 | +3.6% | 27 min | 6 |
| 2 | New Britain | 54 | 3.8× | $58,613 | +2.9% | 22 min | 6 |
| 3 | Stamford | 46 | 5.6× | $111,586 | +3% | 29 min | 3 |
| 4 | New Haven | 45 | 5.1× | $56,851 | +3.6% | 22 min | 6 |
| 5 | Danbury | 42 | 4.9× | $83,393 | +2.5% | 30 min | 3 |
| 6 | Bridgeport | 38 | 4.7× | $58,685 | +2.5% | 31 min | 6 |
| 7 | Waterbury | 37 | 4.0× | $51,886 | +1.2% | 28 min | 5 |
| 8 | Hartford | 35 | 4.9× | $46,411 | +0.3% | 23 min | 5 |
Best for retirees, young professionals or families? Every city page shows all four scores, and the city quiz ranks cities by what matters to you.
Largest cities in Connecticut
| City | Population 2025 | Growth | Home value | Rent | Income | Price level | Jan high | Jul high |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | 152,273 | +2.5% | $274,900 | $1,450 | $58,685 | 106.9 | 38° | 83° |
| Stamford | 139,535 | +3% | $624,400 | $2,276 | $111,586 | 106.9 | 38° | 85° |
| New Haven | 138,774 | +3.6% | $287,100 | $1,488 | $56,851 | 104.6 | 38° | 82° |
| Hartford | 121,981 | +0.3% | $228,600 | $1,269 | $46,411 | 102.7 | 35° | 85° |
| Waterbury | 115,771 | +1.2% | $208,500 | $1,225 | $51,886 | 99.8 | 37° | 84° |
| Norwalk | 94,508 | +3.6% | $558,000 | $2,073 | $107,616 | 106.9 | 38° | 83° |
| Danbury | 89,033 | +2.5% | $411,200 | $1,846 | $83,393 | 106.9 | 36° | 82° |
| New Britain | 76,286 | +2.9% | $223,600 | $1,253 | $58,613 | 102.7 | 37° | 85° |
Taxes in Connecticut
Connecticut has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 6.99% in 2026. The state sales tax is 6.35%, and with the average local rate added it comes to 6.35%. Source: Tax Foundation, 2026. Local income taxes are not included.