City Comparison
West Haven vs East Hartford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
East Hartford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
West Haven
East Hartford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
East Hartford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in West Haven.
Housing costs are a major driver: West Haven's average rent is
11% higher than East Hartford's.
| Metric | West Haven | East Hartford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,583 | +11% |
| Groceries | $420 | $350 | +20% |
| Utilities | $195 | $250 | -22% |
| Transport | $125 | $300 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $200 | +20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,730 | $2,683 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
West Haven offers 90% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, West Haven delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in West Haven is estimated at
$58,000 vs $29,796 in East Hartford.
| Metric | West Haven | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $35,770 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $29,796 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,963 idx | 37,653 idx |
| Household Income | $72,500 | $70,778 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
West Haven runs warmer on average — a 52.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, West Haven comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — West Haven sees 21.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | West Haven | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 23.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 21.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
East Hartford has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to West Haven.
West Haven scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, West Haven leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | West Haven | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 26.0/100 |
| Walkability | 61.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
West Haven is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of East Hartford.
From a growth perspective, West Haven is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, West Haven has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | West Haven | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,584 | 50,693 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 38.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
East Hartford
Advantages
The median household income in East Hartford grew by 5.73% from 2023 to 2024, reaching $70,778.
East Hartford's violent crime rate is 89% below the national average, contributing to a high safety score.
The cost of living in East Hartford is 11% lower than the Connecticut average, making it more affordable.
The average commute time of 22.4 minutes is shorter than the national average.
Employment in East Hartford grew at a rate of 2.21% from 2023 to 2024.
Drawbacks
East Hartford's population is projected to decline by -0.07% annually in 2026.
The town's Walk Score of 33 indicates it is car-dependent, with most errands requiring a car.
Educational attainment levels are lower than Hartford County, with 18% of residents having a four-year college degree or higher, compared to 40% in the County.
The Transit Score of 26 suggests limited public transportation options for car-free living.
East Hartford's crime rates are 17% higher than the Connecticut average, despite being lower than the national average for violent crime.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
East Hartford
#18Connecticut, USA
73.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,583
Avg Salary
$35,770
Cost Index
95
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
26.0/100
Walkability
33.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
73
Business
68
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