City Comparison
West Hartford vs Milford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
West Hartford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
West Hartford
Milford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
West Hartford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Milford.
Housing costs are a major driver: West Hartford's average rent is
25% lower than Milford's.
| Metric | West Hartford | Milford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $2,600 | -25% |
| Groceries | $480 | $450 | +7% |
| Utilities | $195 | $180 | +8% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $250 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $3,015 | $3,600 | -16% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
West Hartford offers 14% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, West Hartford delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in West Hartford is estimated at
$70,000 vs $65,000 in Milford.
| Metric | West Hartford | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,213 idx | 59,016 idx |
| Household Income | $115,000 | $110,669 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — West Hartford sees 2.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | West Hartford | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.40°F | 52.50°F |
| Summer High | 81.90°F | 80.00°F |
| Winter Low | 20.40°F | 23.80°F |
| Rainfall | 45.30 in | 44.50 in |
| Snowfall | 25.10 in | 22.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | 245 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
West Hartford has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Milford.
Milford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, West Hartford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | West Hartford | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
West Hartford is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Milford.
From a growth perspective, West Hartford is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, West Hartford has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | West Hartford | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 64,000 | 52,684 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.30% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
West Hartford
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the top public school districts in the state of Connecticut.
Extremely low crime rates compared to national and state averages, ensuring a secure environment.
Vibrant, highly walkable downtown areas featuring acclaimed dining and shopping at West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square.
Abundant parks, recreational facilities, and proximity to the historic Elizabeth Park.
Strategic location with exceptional highway and transit access to major Greater Hartford employment centers.
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing prices compared to the national average.
Elevated property tax burdens typical of suburban municipalities in Connecticut.
Highly competitive real estate market with limited housing inventory for prospective buyers.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major corridors like I-84 and Farmington Avenue.
Cold, snowy winter conditions that require ongoing municipal snow removal and maintenance costs.
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.
West Hartford
#265Connecticut, USA
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
254/yr
Avg Temp
51.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
89
Business
76
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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