City Comparison
Norwalk vs New Britain
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
New Britain scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Norwalk
New Britain
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
New Britain is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Norwalk.
Housing costs are a major driver: Norwalk's average rent is
47% higher than New Britain's.
| Metric | Norwalk | New Britain | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,350 | $1,600 | +47% |
| Groceries | $520 | $450 | +16% |
| Utilities | $210 | $250 | -16% |
| Transport | $140 | $120 | +17% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $250 | +12% |
| Monthly Total | $3,500 | $2,670 | +31% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Norwalk offers 94% 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 $60,000 in New Britain.
| Metric | Norwalk | New Britain |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $84,000 | $43,281 |
| Salary Needed | $72,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,625 idx | 51,525 idx |
| Household Income | $98,500 | $58,613 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — New Britain sees 4.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Norwalk | New Britain |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.60°F | 51.50°F |
| Summer High | 82.40°F | 81.40°F |
| Winter Low | 24.70°F | 21.00°F |
| Rainfall | 44.50 in | 44.00 in |
| Snowfall | 19.30 in | 23.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | 251 |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
New Britain has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Norwalk.
Norwalk scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Norwalk leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Norwalk | New Britain |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Norwalk is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of New Britain.
From a growth perspective, New Britain 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 | New Britain |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,184 | 76,969 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 34.3 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 8.30% |
| 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
New Britain
Advantages
The average rent in New Britain is $1,600 per month as of September 2026, which is 16% below the national average.
New Britain experienced a 2.57% employment growth rate from 2023 to 2024.
The average commute time in New Britain is 21.5 minutes (2020-2024), shorter than the national average.
The Hospital of Central Connecticut, serving New Britain, has been recognized with America's 100 Best Hospitals Award.
The median property value in New Britain was $223,600 in 2024, offering more affordable homeownership opportunities compared to the national average.
Drawbacks
New Britain's unemployment rate was 8.3% in July 2026, significantly higher than the national rate.
The poverty rate in New Britain was 18.08% in 2026.
The homeownership rate in New Britain was 45.1% in 2024, which is lower than the national average.
New Britain exhibits a medium to high car dependency, with most residents driving alone to work.
While home care costs are relatively lower, assisted living and nursing home costs in Connecticut are considerably high.
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
New Britain
#473Connecticut, USA
54.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,600
Avg Salary
$43,281
Cost Index
84
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
8.30%
Livability
68
Business
65
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