City Comparison
Norwalk vs West Haven
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
West Haven scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Norwalk
West Haven
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
West Haven is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Norwalk.
Housing costs are a major driver: Norwalk's average rent is
34% higher than West Haven's.
| Metric | Norwalk | West Haven | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,350 | $1,750 | +34% |
| Groceries | $520 | $420 | +24% |
| Utilities | $210 | $195 | +8% |
| Transport | $140 | $125 | +12% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $240 | +17% |
| Monthly Total | $3,500 | $2,730 | +28% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 108 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Norwalk offers 24% 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 $58,000 in West Haven.
| Metric | Norwalk | West Haven |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $84,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $72,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,625 idx | 62,963 idx |
| Household Income | $98,500 | $72,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — West Haven sees 1.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Norwalk | West 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% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
West Haven has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Norwalk.
For walkability, Norwalk leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Norwalk | West Haven |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 61.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 44.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Norwalk is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of West Haven.
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 | West Haven |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,184 | 55,584 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 39.5 |
| 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
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.
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
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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