City Comparison
Norwalk vs Milford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Milford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Norwalk
Milford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Norwalk is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Milford.
Housing costs are a major driver: Norwalk's average rent is
10% lower than Milford's.
| Metric | Norwalk | Milford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,350 | $2,600 | -10% |
| Groceries | $520 | $450 | +16% |
| Utilities | $210 | $180 | +17% |
| Transport | $140 | $120 | +17% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $250 | +12% |
| Monthly Total | $3,500 | $3,600 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Norwalk offers 17% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Norwalk delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Norwalk is estimated at
$72,000 vs $65,000 in Milford.
| Metric | Norwalk | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $84,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $72,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,625 idx | 59,016 idx |
| Household Income | $98,500 | $110,669 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Milford sees 2.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Norwalk | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.60°F | 52.50°F |
| Summer High | 82.40°F | 80.00°F |
| Winter Low | 24.70°F | 23.80°F |
| Rainfall | 44.50 in | 44.50 in |
| Snowfall | 19.30 in | 22.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | 245 |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Milford has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Norwalk.
| Metric | Norwalk | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Norwalk is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Milford.
From a growth perspective, Norwalk is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Norwalk has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Norwalk | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,184 | 52,684 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.30% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Norwalk
Advantages
Direct Metro-North commuter rail access to Grand Central Terminal in New York City
Thriving coastal lifestyle with extensive boating, marina, and beach access along Long Island Sound
Vibrant downtown SoNo district featuring diverse dining, arts, and the Maritime Aquarium
Robust local economy anchored by healthcare, professional services, and corporate headquarters
High educational attainment and strong public community engagement initiatives
Drawbacks
Cost of living and housing expenses significantly exceed the national average
Heavy commuter traffic congestion along the Interstate 95 and Route 7 corridors
Competitive real estate market with high median home purchase prices
High local property and state tax burdens typical of Fairfield County
Moderate car dependency in outer residential neighborhoods outside the urban core
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.
Norwalk
#495Connecticut, USA
53.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,350
Avg Salary
$84,000
Cost Index
128
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
53.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
78
Business
72
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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