City Comparison
Norwalk vs New Haven
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Norwalk scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Norwalk
New Haven
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
New Haven is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
25% lower than in Norwalk.
Housing costs are a major driver: Norwalk's average rent is
42% higher than New Haven's.
| Metric | Norwalk | New Haven | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,350 | $1,650 | +42% |
| Groceries | $520 | $420 | +24% |
| Utilities | $210 | $210 | 0% |
| Transport | $140 | $130 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $230 | +22% |
| Monthly Total | $3,500 | $2,640 | +33% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 112 | 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 $60,000 in New Haven.
| Metric | Norwalk | New Haven |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $84,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $72,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,625 idx | 64,286 idx |
| Household Income | $98,500 | $53,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — New Haven sees 1.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Norwalk | New Haven |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.60°F | 52.50°F |
| Summer High | 82.40°F | 81.00°F |
| Winter Low | 24.70°F | 23.40°F |
| Rainfall | 44.50 in | 44.00 in |
| Snowfall | 19.30 in | 21.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | 253 |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
New Haven has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Norwalk.
New Haven scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New Haven leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Norwalk | New Haven |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 68.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New Haven is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Norwalk.
From a growth perspective, New Haven 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 Haven |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,184 | 134,023 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 33.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 4.50% |
| 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 Haven
Advantages
Home to Yale University, providing world-class cultural events, libraries, and architectural landmarks.
Exceptional transit connectivity via Union Station with direct rail access to New York City and Boston.
Renowned culinary destination famous for distinctive New Haven-style apizza and diverse global dining.
Major healthcare and biotechnology hub anchored by Yale New Haven Health and growing research parks.
Abundant urban parks and coastal access, including East Rock Park and Lighthouse Point Park.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and housing expenses are noticeably higher than the U.S. national average.
Property crime and localized safety concerns persist in certain neighborhoods outside the downtown core.
Northeast regional winters bring cold temperatures and seasonal snowfall that require winter preparedness.
State and local tax burdens in Connecticut can be relatively high for middle- and upper-income residents.
Parking downtown can be limited and expensive, particularly during peak academic and event seasons.
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 Haven
#562Connecticut, USA
47.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
52.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
76
Business
72
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