City Comparison
Manchester vs West Haven
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Manchester scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Manchester
West Haven
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Manchester is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in West Haven.
Housing costs are a major driver: Manchester's average rent is
11% lower than West Haven's.
| Metric | Manchester | West Haven | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $1,750 | -11% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $195 | -10% |
| Transport | $115 | $125 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,500 | $2,730 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 108 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Manchester offers 4% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Manchester delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Manchester is estimated at
$58,000 vs $58,000 in West Haven.
| Metric | Manchester | West Haven |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,608 idx | 62,963 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $72,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Manchester sees 1.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Manchester | West Haven |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | 52.50°F |
| Summer High | 81.30°F | 81.00°F |
| Winter Low | 19.90°F | 23.40°F |
| Rainfall | 42.60 in | 44.00 in |
| Snowfall | 23.00 in | 21.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | 253 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Manchester has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to West Haven.
West Haven scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, West Haven leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Manchester | West Haven |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 61.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 44.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Manchester is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of West Haven.
From a growth perspective, Manchester is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Manchester has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Manchester | West Haven |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,498 | 55,584 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 39.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Manchester
Advantages
Median home prices and average rents are more affordable compared to neighboring Hartford suburbs like Glastonbury and West Hartford per Zillow 2024 data.
Abundant outdoor recreation options, including the popular Case Mountain hiking and conservation area.
Strong commuter accessibility via direct access to Interstate 84 and Interstate 384.
Rich historical identity anchored by the Cheney Brothers Silk Historic District.
Major commercial and retail hub status featuring the Buckland Hills shopping district.
Drawbacks
Property tax rates in Hartford County can be relatively high for homeowners.
Certain major commuter corridors experience heavy traffic congestion during peak morning and evening rush hours.
Public transit options outside of primary bus lines are somewhat limited, maintaining a reliance on personal vehicles.
Winters bring substantial snowfall and freezing temperatures common to the New England region.
Older housing stock in historic districts may require frequent maintenance and energy-efficiency updates.
West Haven
Advantages
Boasts the longest publicly accessible shoreline in Connecticut, featuring 3.5 miles of beaches and boardwalk.
Convenient commuter access via the West Haven Metro-North train station providing direct service to New York City and New Haven.
Hosts the University of New Haven, bringing vibrant academic energy, diverse demographics, and cultural events to the city.
More attainable home purchase prices and rental rates compared to neighboring coastal towns in Fairfield County.
Home to the major VA Connecticut Healthcare System campus, offering top-tier local medical services and employment.
Drawbacks
Overall property tax rates are relatively high, reflecting municipal budget pressures typical of Connecticut cities.
Certain areas experience heavy commuter traffic congestion along Route 1 and approaches to Interstate 95 during peak hours.
Coastal flood zones require residents in specific neighborhoods to secure mandatory flood insurance.
Aging public school infrastructure requires ongoing capital investment and modernization efforts.
Pockets of the city experience commercial vacancy rates that local economic development initiatives are actively working to revitalize.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Manchester
#387Connecticut, USA
58.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
75
Business
70
West Haven
#461Connecticut, USA
55.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
61.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
52.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
73
Business
67
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