State Guide

Best Places to Live in Connecticut

The most affordable, safest, and highest-income cities across 215 Connecticut cities — ranked from official data.

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Choosing where to live in Connecticut comes down to a few trade-offs — cost of living, safety, income, and schools. The rankings below pull those out from U.S. Census, FBI, and NCES data so you can see the standouts at a glance, then drill into any city or put two side by side.

Most Affordable Cities in Connecticut

Lowest cost of living index (100 = U.S. average · lower is cheaper).

#City Cost of Living Population
1 Bridgeport 106 148,470
2 Stamford 106 135,413
3 Norwalk 106 91,050
4 Danbury 106 86,456
5 Shelton 106 41,206

Safest Cities in Connecticut

Lowest crime index (100 = U.S. average · lower is safer). Limited to cities with complete FBI reporting.

#City Crime Index Population
1 Bristol 27 61,052
2 West Haven 40 55,336
3 Norwalk 42 91,050
4 East Hartford 46 50,942
5 Stamford 48 135,413
6 Meriden 52 60,556
7 Milford 58 50,664
8 West Hartford 62 64,088
9 Danbury 65 86,456
10 Bridgeport 90 148,470

Highest-Income Cities in Connecticut

Highest median household income (US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates).

#City Median Income Population
1 West Hartford $124,150 64,088
2 Milford $104,503 50,664
3 Stamford $100,718 135,413
4 Norwalk $97,879 91,050
5 Bristol $82,094 61,052
6 Danbury $79,983 86,456
7 West Haven $72,827 55,336
8 East Hartford $64,244 50,942
9 Meriden $63,671 60,556
10 Bridgeport $54,440 148,470

Best School Districts in Connecticut

Highest school-quality grade (student-teacher ratio, adult attainment, and graduation data where available).

#City School Grade Population
1 Milford A+ 50,664
2 West Hartford A 64,088
3 Stamford A 135,413
4 Norwalk A- 91,050
5 Bristol A- 61,052
6 New Haven B+ 135,736
7 West Haven B 55,336
8 Danbury B 86,456
9 East Hartford B- 50,942
10 Waterbury B- 114,480

Popular Connecticut City Comparisons

Head-to-head breakdowns of the state's largest cities.

Bridgeport vs New Haven Bridgeport vs Stamford Bridgeport vs Hartford Bridgeport vs Waterbury Bridgeport vs Norwalk Bridgeport vs Danbury Bridgeport vs New Britain New Haven vs Stamford New Haven vs Hartford New Haven vs Waterbury New Haven vs Norwalk New Haven vs Danbury

All Cities in Connecticut

Click any city for the full profile. Data from U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-Year Estimates).

City Population Median Income Median Home Median Rent Unemployment Crime Index
Bridgeport 148,470 $54,440 $227,200 $1,369 9.5% 90
New Haven 135,736 $54,305 $236,500 $1,402 7.8% 153
Stamford 135,413 $100,718 $584,700 $2,129 5.5% 48
Hartford 121,057 $41,841 $198,900 $1,154 10.6% 136
Waterbury 114,480 $51,451 $162,800 $1,140 9.8% 107
Norwalk 91,050 $97,879 $491,800 $1,861 5.9% 42
Danbury 86,456 $79,983 $355,500 $1,726 6.0% 65
New Britain 74,212 $53,766 $188,700 $1,136 8.9% 103
West Hartford 64,088 $124,150 $370,500 $1,608 3.9% 62
Bristol 61,052 $82,094 $235,700 $1,228 6.6% 27
Meriden 60,556 $63,671 $199,100 $1,191 8.4% 52
West Haven 55,336 $72,827 $247,800 $1,322 7.9% 40
East Hartford 50,942 $64,244 $201,500 $1,163 6.7% 46
Milford 50,664 $104,503 $361,900 $1,783 4.3% 58
Middletown 48,152 $75,120 $257,800 $1,312 4.7% 32
Shelton 41,206 $112,366 $410,400 $1,539 5.5% 20
Norwich 40,054 $62,713 $200,400 $1,159 7.0% 57
Manchester 37,015 $73,265 $195,200 $1,289 5.1% 61
Torrington 35,510 $66,616 $180,800 $1,086 5.8% 33
Naugatuck 31,653 $91,145 $226,200 $1,238 5.5% 27
Newington 30,458 $100,239 $266,200 $1,401 3.1% 53
East Haven 27,871 $83,489 $262,600 $1,342 5.0% 53
New London 27,596 $56,237 $220,300 $1,178 7.1% 58
Wethersfield 27,192 $108,656 $286,000 $1,244 4.4% 35
North Haven 24,179 $121,250 $344,500 $1,445 3.4% 56
Ansonia 18,954 $67,474 $257,100 $1,329 9.9% 38
Wallingford Center 18,738 $83,618 $281,300 $1,172 5.9% 57
Willimantic 17,762 $45,723 $173,100 $1,060 8.2% 43
Storrs 17,606 $27,793 $311,400 $1,615 12.5% —
Orange 14,231 $138,514 $447,000 $1,954 3.8% 73
Greenwich 14,051 $128,839 $1,566,500 $2,056 8.1% 18
Windsor Locks 12,563 $85,570 $236,200 $1,303 7.3% 33
Derby 12,373 $69,835 $220,600 $1,301 6.1% 98
Bethel 11,551 $79,500 $368,700 $1,457 4.1% 12
Trumbull Center 10,335 $120,952 $439,100 $1,934 8.2% 35
Sandy Hook 9,604 $148,750 $434,400 $1,612 5.4% 35
Kensington 9,580 $99,423 $289,500 $1,390 2.2% 43
Oakville 9,387 $82,701 $261,800 $1,319 2.4% 12
Groton 9,364 $64,611 $257,300 $1,100 6.1% 44
Riverside 9,093 $250,001 $1,626,900 $2,218 5.6% 35
Conning Towers-Nautilus Park 8,330 $75,753 $250,000 $1,750 7.5% 19
Long Hill CDP (Greater Bridgeport County) 8,279 $136,750 $441,200 $2,554 7.9% 35
Thompsonville 8,097 $57,662 $219,000 $1,347 17.5% 43
Glastonbury Center 7,959 $104,557 $360,900 $1,657 2.7% 43
Southwood Acres 7,928 $101,939 $234,900 $1,622 3.1% 43
Ridgefield 7,655 $139,490 $783,300 $2,032 5.7% 9
Cos Cob 7,243 $185,125 $1,138,300 $2,412 6.3% 35
Putnam 7,207 $60,539 $217,000 $1,105 5.4% 34
Staples 7,200 $213,158 $1,163,100 $2,324 5.1% 35
New Milford 7,095 $70,625 $286,400 $1,313 4.1% 15
Old Greenwich 7,060 $240,417 $1,632,000 $3,501 4.5% 35
Rockville 6,951 $49,823 $182,700 $1,074 11.3% —
Winsted 6,880 $66,250 $186,700 $1,118 6.3% 12
New Canaan 6,863 $167,614 $1,019,800 $3,483 11.1% 16
Portland 6,417 $94,923 $256,000 $1,192 6.3% 15
Branford Center 6,201 $76,500 $282,300 $1,366 4.4% 57
Northford 6,189 $115,000 $345,100 $1,229 3.4% 57
Hazardville 6,123 $93,486 $222,100 $1,208 4.3% 43
Simsbury Center 6,110 $120,435 $350,000 $1,904 5.0% 43
Daniels Farm 6,067 $188,698 $564,100 $3,501 5.8% 35
Cheshire Village 5,879 $107,577 $380,000 $1,066 4.6% 9
Sherwood Manor 5,731 $98,980 $230,200 $1,662 4.6% 43
Noroton 5,605 $250,001 $1,408,600 $3,501 6.3% 35
Pawcatuck 5,570 $70,927 $315,400 $1,162 5.1% 19
Byram 5,285 $92,500 $853,500 $2,489 13.1% 35
Terryville 4,998 $69,444 $213,100 $1,130 5.5% 12
Quinnipiac University 4,926 — — — 2.9% 57
Stafford Springs 4,890 $68,929 $203,200 $1,050 6.6% —
Colchester 4,868 $74,035 $252,300 $1,325 8.0% 19
Lake Pocotopaug 4,761 $105,750 $303,300 $1,438 5.3% 15
Long Hill CDP (Southeastern Connecticut County) 4,520 $81,750 $161,000 $1,586 5.5% 19
Mystic 4,417 $126,854 $460,100 $1,491 3.7% 19
Heritage Village 4,411 $46,663 $181,300 $1,745 3.4% 57
East Village 4,189 $177,633 $516,100 — 2.6% 35
Danielson 4,162 $69,007 $229,000 $1,279 16.9% —
Oronoque 4,065 $67,069 $303,300 $2,285 11.2% 35
Broad Brook 4,006 $93,243 $292,800 $1,302 4.1% 43
Lordship 3,850 $81,929 $422,800 $1,609 2.6% —
Watertown 3,765 $67,252 $263,000 $1,007 4.1% 24
Collinsville 3,750 $101,336 $367,400 $1,530 2.2% 43
Stepney 3,674 $137,226 $425,600 $2,061 4.6% 35
Compo 3,638 $208,833 $1,285,700 $1,405 4.5% 35
Niantic 3,497 $82,398 $376,900 $1,563 2.7% 19
Durham 3,469 $127,361 $361,000 $1,765 6.0% 15
Jewett City 3,415 $52,283 $175,500 $1,125 8.1% 19
Tashua 3,404 $168,646 $617,400 $2,714 4.5% 35
Coleytown 3,390 $228,981 $1,349,300 — 8.1% 35
Old Mystic 3,385 $112,734 $302,500 $1,699 5.6% 19
Waterford 3,276 $74,701 $222,100 $1,438 8.2% 36
Pemberwick 3,212 $122,546 $819,700 $2,291 5.4% 35
Northwest Harwinton 3,202 $93,521 $329,600 $1,659 4.5% 12
Moosup 3,175 $64,466 $222,500 $1,124 6.8% —
Fairfield University 3,169 — — — 7.9% 35
Clinton 3,113 $80,083 $312,000 $1,340 3.7% 54
Glenville 3,112 $197,619 $986,600 $2,453 7.4% 35
Greens Farms 3,050 $250,001 $1,194,700 $3,501 1.5% 35
Noroton Heights 3,006 $250,001 $1,121,000 $2,957 3.8% 35
Saugatuck 2,999 $199,196 $1,241,700 $2,031 7.5% 35
East Hampton 2,944 $122,426 $306,300 $1,217 4.5% 12
Old Hill 2,856 $250,001 $1,195,800 $2,318 3.6% 35
West Simsbury 2,796 $175,045 $457,700 $2,176 4.5% 43
Essex Village 2,725 $98,611 $737,200 $1,236 0.0% 15
Deep River Center 2,700 $75,296 $297,000 $1,215 3.1% 15
Plainfield Village 2,681 $62,638 $218,900 $1,113 10.2% 15
Weatogue 2,671 $154,716 $367,700 $1,953 0.7% 43
Westport Village 2,668 $215,526 $1,204,200 $3,199 6.9% 22
Tokeneke 2,575 $250,001 $2,000,001 $2,350 5.7% 35
Guilford Center 2,541 $88,850 $550,800 $1,673 0.6% 57
Ball Pond 2,531 $138,165 $351,200 $1,831 4.1% 35
Oxoboxo River 2,429 $69,740 $214,800 $1,306 6.9% 19
Westbrook Center 2,317 $69,544 $463,400 $1,284 3.6% 15
Somers 2,231 $79,952 $335,700 $881 0.0% —
Coventry Lake 2,230 $86,394 $239,900 $1,764 3.7% —
Blue Hills 2,224 $63,844 $183,800 $1,008 3.5% 43
Ridgebury 2,187 $205,125 $840,600 — 0.0% 35
Salmon Brook 2,184 $77,500 $286,500 $850 2.4% 43
Bethlehem Village 2,103 $115,455 $315,500 $1,509 0.8% 12
Thomaston 2,087 $71,301 $229,700 $890 4.9% 12
Plantsville 2,084 $105,674 $290,000 — 2.4% 43
Crystal Lake 2,080 $156,595 $358,600 — 0.0% —
East Brooklyn 2,051 $63,938 $270,500 $1,048 9.9% —
Old Saybrook Center 2,017 $79,712 $396,100 $1,833 0.0% 15
Newtown 1,959 $144,375 $451,400 $1,750 3.4% 10
Stratford Downtown 1,949 $71,364 $269,800 $1,228 12.3% 35
Suffield Depot 1,886 $83,926 $378,200 $1,292 14.8% 43
Mill Plain 1,841 $182,625 $724,900 — 17.2% 35
Tariffville 1,803 $83,607 $256,900 $1,224 14.7% 43
Chester Center 1,729 $73,611 $387,800 $1,386 3.3% 15
Noank 1,708 $156,842 $474,400 $1,100 0.9% 19
Higganum 1,693 $130,411 $388,100 — 0.0% 15
Moodus 1,666 $96,032 $283,700 $1,151 3.0% 15
Georgetown 1,656 $159,242 $630,500 $3,501 8.4% 35
Wilton Center 1,642 $130,543 $491,000 $1,415 2.4% 35
Woodmont 1,619 $97,171 $420,800 $2,188 2.8% —
North Granby 1,556 $114,519 $362,400 — 0.0% 43
Madison Center 1,536 $130,625 $641,700 $1,676 2.7% 57
Southport 1,515 $156,406 $885,100 $3,121 5.3% 35
Canton Valley 1,484 $70,389 $309,900 $1,140 0.3% 43
South Coventry 1,468 $100,145 $313,900 $868 2.7% —
Lakes East 1,457 $203,804 $553,200 — 0.0% 35
Woodbury Center 1,445 $89,563 $417,100 $1,689 11.5% 12
Poplar Plains 1,431 $250,001 $1,316,100 — 1.3% 35
South Wilton 1,428 $132,381 $719,100 — 2.7% 35
South Woodstock 1,418 $75,763 $262,200 $1,110 7.2% —
South Windham 1,412 $69,327 $185,500 $1,125 1.2% —
Wauregan 1,396 $81,964 $221,400 $845 2.2% —
Poquonock Bridge 1,390 $61,994 $182,000 $1,255 15.8% 19
New Hartford Center 1,364 $71,456 $178,600 $993 5.1% 12
Lakes West 1,358 $215,750 $667,900 — 6.5% 35
Litchfield 1,355 $121,346 $380,200 $1,110 4.9% 12
Canaan 1,353 $31,130 $188,900 $1,078 12.7% 12
Mansfield Center 1,281 $115,655 $260,300 — 3.4% —
North Grosvenor Dale 1,281 $85,982 $185,800 — 11.3% —
Sacred Heart University 1,269 — — — 1.5% 35
Saybrook Manor 1,231 $110,526 $445,500 $2,554 4.2% 15
Darien Downtown 1,177 $163,375 $892,500 $1,436 9.7% 35
Baltic 1,150 $91,250 $196,800 $1,203 4.7% 19
Gales Ferry 1,113 $91,083 $271,000 — 1.0% 19
Inglenook 1,082 $126,667 $243,300 — 1.3% 35
New Preston 1,026 $85,357 $382,100 — 1.4% 12
Route 7 Gateway 1,009 $140,568 $575,900 $1,461 0.0% 35
Quinebaug 946 $73,565 $197,600 — 10.2% —
Stonington 942 $84,583 $757,800 $1,408 6.5% 27
Bigelow Corners 936 $118,828 $427,000 — 3.1% 35
Brooklyn 886 $71,543 $243,100 $1,563 0.0% —
Lakeville 886 $87,401 — $1,173 0.0% 12
Plattsville 876 $161,786 $588,500 — 1.6% 35
Weston 797 $250,001 $1,005,900 — 0.0% 35
Candlewood Shores 792 $144,722 $388,000 — 6.1% 35
Terramuggus 778 $133,482 $339,700 — 4.1% 43
Murray 707 $250,001 $929,600 — 5.3% 35
Bantam 697 $52,431 $263,500 $775 3.6% 12
Candlewood Orchards 655 $120,652 $358,400 — 5.3% 35
Norfolk 652 $69,750 $305,200 $1,093 2.2% 12
Botsford 571 $250,001 $453,100 — 0.0% 35
Taylor Corners 566 $59,395 $393,600 — 16.8% 35
Mechanicsville 542 $70,543 $203,700 $1,133 0.0% —
Gaylordsville 538 $102,237 $403,800 — 0.0% 12
Cannondale 532 $250,001 — — 0.0% 35
Groton Long Point 517 $118,056 $873,200 $2,482 7.6% —
Lake Bungee 515 $82,109 $236,500 — 0.0% —
Falls Village 473 — $407,700 $1,188 1.4% 12
Mamanasco Lake 470 $233,188 $845,800 — 2.5% 35
Candlewood Isle 467 $250,001 $834,400 — 0.0% 35
Indian Field 451 $250,001 $2,000,001 — 3.3% 35
West Mountain 423 $250,001 $870,800 — 0.0% 35
Rock Ridge 418 $212,083 $2,000,001 — 0.0% 35
Sharon 403 $153,431 $275,200 — 2.5% 12
Lakeside Woods 402 $193,393 $447,600 — 0.0% 35
Witches Woods 397 $250,001 $435,900 — 15.5% —
Riverton 332 $113,673 $335,800 — 5.0% 12
Pleasant Valley 307 — $234,700 $1,104 37.2% 12
Knollcrest 302 — $488,900 — 4.5% 35
Lake Chaffee 301 $81,140 $224,100 $1,713 0.0% —
Dayville 290 $56,111 $245,500 $1,653 0.0% —
Redding Center 258 $175,833 $590,900 — 5.4% 35
Quasset Lake 244 — $341,700 — 5.2% —
Cornwall Bridge 229 $41,250 $343,500 $850 3.0% 12
Bogus Hill 199 $240,568 — — 13.6% 35
Topstone 178 $139,219 $641,300 — 0.0% 35
Brookfield Center 170 $245,526 $529,400 — 6.7% 35
Candlewood Knolls 170 $101,458 $344,400 — 38.5% 35
Hawleyville 150 $250,001 — — 0.0% 35
Candlewood Lake Club 145 $250,001 — — 0.0% 35
Sail Harbor 143 $250,001 $869,600 — 0.0% 35
Bridgewater 142 $131,563 $476,100 — 0.0% 12
Chimney Point 106 — — — 0.0% 12
Mashantucket 104 $103,750 $283,300 — 4.5% 19
Dodgingtown 89 — $559,000 — 0.0% 35
Cornwall 83 $121,250 $287,500 — 0.0% 12
Branchville 79 — — $1,813 0.0% 35
West Cornwall 54 $103,333 $321,400 — 0.0% 12
Fenwick 40 $167,500 $2,000,001 — 0.0% —
Sherman 33 — — — 0.0% 35
Kellogg Point 0 — — — — 35

Frequently Asked Questions

Bridgeport, CT is among the most affordable cities in Connecticut, with a cost of living index of 106 (US average = 100) and a median home value of $227,200. See the full ranking above.
Bristol, CT ranks among the safest cities in Connecticut, with a crime index of 27 (100 = U.S. average, lower is safer). Crime data from the FBI UCR Program.
West Hartford, CT has one of the highest median household incomes in Connecticut at $124,150 per year. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

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