City Comparison
Hamden vs Milford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hamden scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hamden
Milford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hamden is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Milford.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hamden's average rent is
19% lower than Milford's.
| Metric | Hamden | Milford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,100 | $2,600 | -19% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $185 | $180 | +3% |
| Transport | $125 | $120 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $250 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $3,090 | $3,600 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hamden offers similar average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Hamden delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hamden is estimated at
$62,000 vs $65,000 in Milford.
| Metric | Hamden | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 59,016 idx |
| Household Income | $98,306 | $110,669 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Hamden sees 0.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hamden | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.90°F | 52.50°F |
| Summer High | 81.70°F | 80.00°F |
| Winter Low | 21.70°F | 23.80°F |
| Rainfall | 45.30 in | 44.50 in |
| Snowfall | 23.10 in | 22.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | 245 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Milford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Milford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hamden | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hamden is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Milford.
From a growth perspective, Milford is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Milford has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hamden | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,045 | 52,684 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.30% |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hamden
Advantages
Median household income in Hamden stands at a strong $98,306, outperforming the national average.
Proximity to world-class outdoor recreation, highlighted by the iconic Sleeping Giant State Park.
Convenient access to major employment centers in New Haven and academic institutions like Quinnipiac University.
Diverse residential neighborhoods offering everything from historic character to modern suburban developments.
Active municipal programming and community events hosted regularly at Town Center Park.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and property taxes run higher than the national median.
Certain transit routes rely heavily on car travel, leading to peak-hour congestion along major arteries like Route 10.
Rental inventory can experience tight competition due to proximity to regional universities.
Winter weather brings heavy snowfall averaging over 23 inches annually, requiring active municipal snow removal.
Property prices have faced upward pressure, making entry-level homeownership more competitive.
Milford
Advantages
Milford features 17 miles of scenic coastline, including the popular Silver Sands State Park and multiple public beaches per city records.
The median household income in Milford stands at a robust $110,669 per the U.S. Census Bureau ACS data.
Crime rates in Milford remain significantly below the national average, making it one of New Haven County's safer communities.
The Metro-North commuter rail station provides direct, seamless access to New Haven, Stamford, and New York City.
Over 88% of local adults surveyed by DataHaven report that their neighborhood is an exceptional place to raise children.
Drawbacks
Average monthly rent of $2,600 is significantly higher than the national average, straining affordability for mid-income renters.
High property demand and limited housing inventory make purchasing a single-family home highly competitive and expensive.
Interstate 95 through the coastal corridor experiences heavy rush-hour congestion and bottlenecks.
The median age of 46.6 years indicates a relatively older demographic base, with fewer young working-age singles.
Property taxes in Connecticut can create a heavy financial burden for long-term homeowners.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Hamden
#208Connecticut, USA
63.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
51.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
76
Business
70
Milford
#380Connecticut, USA
59.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,600
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
52.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
82
Business
70
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