Cost of Living in Connecticut
Updated November 2026 · population 3,624,508
Connecticut prices are 3.6% above the US average (index 103.6), ranking 10th most expensive of 51 states and DC; utilities is the biggest cost driver at 146.5, and a single adult's modelled budget at state-average prices is about $2,854 a month.
Prices by category
Connecticut price index by category, US average = 100: All items 103.6, Housing (rents) 117.0, Goods 97.3, Utilities 146.5, Other services 102.7
| Area | All items |
|---|---|
| Connecticut (whole state) | 103.6 |
| Metropolitan areas of Connecticut | 104.0 |
| Nonmetropolitan areas of Connecticut | 97.9 |
Cities in Connecticut
Select a column heading to sort.
| Bridgeport | 149,153 | 101.7 | $2,783 | $5,597 | $1,450 | $274,900 |
| Stamford | 137,144 | 112.9 | $3,772 | $6,646 | $2,276 | $624,400 |
| New Haven | 134,349 | 104.1 | $2,916 | $5,589 | $1,488 | $287,100 |
| Hartford | 121,127 | 100.3 | $2,722 | $5,380 | $1,269 | $228,600 |
| Waterbury | 114,869 | 96.8 | $2,521 | $5,245 | $1,225 | $208,500 |
| Norwalk | 92,187 | 110.1 | $3,590 | $6,474 | $2,073 | $558,000 |
| Danbury | 87,263 | 107.1 | $3,192 | $6,066 | $1,846 | $411,200 |
| New Britain | 74,223 | 100.0 | $2,572 | $5,332 | $1,253 | $223,600 |
| West Hartford | 63,620 | 107.2 | $3,178 | $6,103 | $1,756 | $411,000 |
| Bristol | 61,462 | 98.1 | $2,685 | $5,484 | $1,338 | $277,800 |
| Meriden | 60,545 | 101.3 | $2,672 | $5,542 | $1,294 | $241,200 |
| West Haven | 55,351 | 103.5 | $2,869 | $5,780 | $1,442 | $291,700 |
| Milford | 51,023 | 110.0 | $3,363 | $6,381 | $1,882 | $415,200 |
| East Hartford | 50,918 | 99.6 | $2,746 | $5,397 | $1,225 | $229,700 |
Metro areas in Connecticut
| Metro area | All items | Housing |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT Metropolitan Statistical Area | 106.9 | 150.5 |
| New Haven, CT | 104.6 | 124.3 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 102.7 | 110.2 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | 100.4 | 93.7 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | 99.8 | 89.1 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for metropolitan statistical areas that include part of Connecticut.
Modelled monthly budget at Connecticut average prices
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Connecticut (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,043 | $12,516 | 37% |
| Utilities | $364 | $4,368 | 13% |
| Food at home | $275 | $3,300 | 10% |
| Transportation | $646 | $7,752 | 23% |
| Health care | $361 | $4,332 | 13% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $165 | $1,980 | 6% |
| Total | $2,854 | $34,248 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Connecticut (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,333 | $15,996 | 28% |
| Utilities | $581 | $6,972 | 12% |
| Food at home | $507 | $6,084 | 11% |
| Transportation | $1,279 | $15,348 | 27% |
| Health care | $669 | $8,028 | 14% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $325 | $3,900 | 7% |
| Total | $4,694 | $56,328 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Connecticut (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,472 | $17,664 | 26% |
| Utilities | $707 | $8,484 | 13% |
| Food at home | $723 | $8,676 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,700 | $20,400 | 30% |
| Health care | $623 | $7,476 | 11% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $419 | $5,028 | 7% |
| Total | $5,644 | $67,728 | 100% |
state figures Rents are Census ACS state medians by bedrooms. See the methodology.
Electricity and gas and inflation
Residential electricity
24.51¢/kWh, August 2026
12-month change −18.8% · US 18.16¢
Regular gasoline regional figure: New England (PADD 1A)
$4.14/gal, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change +41.4% · US $4.15
Consumer prices in the Northeast region rose +4.2% over the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%; BLS CPI-U).
Price level history
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 103.9 | 105.1 | 102.9 | 106.4 | 104.2 | 103.6 |
Change over the period: −0.3 points. Each year is measured relative to that year's US average.
Frequently asked questions
Is Connecticut an expensive state to live in?
Connecticut has a cost of living index of 103.6 (US = 100), 3.6% above the US average. It ranks 10th of 51 (1 = most expensive). Housing is 117.0 (rank 11), goods 97.3, utilities 146.5 and other services 102.7. Source: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024.
How much does it cost to live in Connecticut?
At Connecticut state-average prices, our modelled monthly budget is $2,854 for a single adult, $4,694 for a couple and $5,644 for a family of four, before taxes and child care. Costs vary widely within the state: metro areas average 104.0 and nonmetro areas 97.9.
What is the median rent and home value in Connecticut?
The median gross rent in Connecticut is $1,488 a month and the median home value is $366,900 (Census ACS 2020-2024). The typical renter spends 31.4% of income on rent.
Sources
- BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 (state, state metro and nonmetro portions, MSAs).
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, state 09.
- EIA-861M residential electricity (August 2026); EIA weekly retail gasoline (New England (PADD 1A), 2026-11-02).
- BLS CPI-U, Northeast region (September 2026).
Budgets are modelled estimates, not observed spending. Not financial advice. Methodology