City Comparison
West Haven vs Milford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Milford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
West Haven
Milford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
West Haven is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Milford.
Housing costs are a major driver: West Haven's average rent is
33% lower than Milford's.
| Metric | West Haven | Milford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $2,600 | -33% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $195 | $180 | +8% |
| Transport | $125 | $120 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,730 | $3,600 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Milford offers 6% lower 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 $65,000 in Milford.
| Metric | West Haven | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,963 idx | 59,016 idx |
| Household Income | $72,500 | $110,669 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Milford sees 1.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | West Haven | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.50°F | 52.50°F |
| Summer High | 81.00°F | 80.00°F |
| Winter Low | 23.40°F | 23.80°F |
| Rainfall | 44.00 in | 44.50 in |
| Snowfall | 21.10 in | 22.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | 245 |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Milford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | West Haven | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Walkability | 61.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
West Haven is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Milford.
From a growth perspective, West Haven is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Milford has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | West Haven | Milford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,584 | 52,684 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.30% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.10% |
| 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.
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 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
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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