Cost of Living in Connecticut (CT)
Compare costs across 4 Connecticut cities. From home services to salaries, see how CT stacks up against the national average.
4
Cities
122
Avg Cost Index
$53K
Avg Income
Direct Answer
Connecticut's average cost index is 122, which is above the national baseline of 100. Hartford is the most affordable tracked city in CT at index 108, while Stamford is the most expensive at index 152.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive tracked cities is 44 index points, so state-level averages should be used as a map, not a final budget.
State cost overviewBLS, Census, HUD inputsLast verified May 2026
Connecticut Highlights: Most affordable city: Hartford (index 108). Most expensive: Stamford (index 152). The gap between cheapest and most expensive is 44 index points.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
Average index
122/100
Connecticut is above the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Cheapest city
Hartford
Hartford has a cost index of 108.
Most expensive
Stamford
Stamford has a cost index of 152.
Income average
$53K
Average median household income across 4 tracked CT cities.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Cities in Connecticut
| City | Population | Cost Index | Median Income | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | 149K | 115 | $45K | small |
| Stamford | 135K | 152 | $90K | mid |
| New Haven | 134K | 112 | $42K | small |
| Hartford | 121K | 108 | $37K | small |
Connecticut State Taxes (2026)
Headline tax rates that affect your real take-home pay and total cost of living in Connecticut.
State Income Tax
3-6.99%
progressive system
Combined Sales Tax
6.35%
6.35% state + 0% avg local
Property Tax (Effective)
2.15%
~$6,450/yr on a $300K home
Income tax: Connecticut uses a progressive income tax at 3-6.99%. Estate tax applies at the state level. Estimate your take-home pay
State Planning Checklist
- Start with Hartford if the priority is lowest recurring cost inside Connecticut.
- Compare Stamford against salary and tax advantages before assuming the higher-cost city is worse.
- Use city pages for rent, salary, insurance, and local service costs before making a relocation decision.