City Comparison
West Haven vs New Britain
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
West Haven scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
West Haven
New Britain
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
New Britain is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in West Haven.
| Metric | West Haven | New Britain | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,600 | +9% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $195 | $250 | -22% |
| Transport | $125 | $120 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,730 | $2,670 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
West Haven offers 57% 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 $60,000 in New Britain.
| Metric | West Haven | New Britain |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $43,281 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,963 idx | 51,525 idx |
| Household Income | $72,500 | $58,613 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — New Britain sees 2.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | West Haven | New Britain |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.50°F | 51.50°F |
| Summer High | 81.00°F | 81.40°F |
| Winter Low | 23.40°F | 21.00°F |
| Rainfall | 44.00 in | 44.00 in |
| Snowfall | 21.10 in | 23.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | 251 |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
New Britain 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 | New Britain |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 61.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New Britain is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of West Haven.
From a growth perspective, New Britain 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 | New Britain |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,584 | 76,969 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 34.3 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 8.30% |
| 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.
New Britain
Advantages
The average rent in New Britain is $1,600 per month as of September 2026, which is 16% below the national average.
New Britain experienced a 2.57% employment growth rate from 2023 to 2024.
The average commute time in New Britain is 21.5 minutes (2020-2024), shorter than the national average.
The Hospital of Central Connecticut, serving New Britain, has been recognized with America's 100 Best Hospitals Award.
The median property value in New Britain was $223,600 in 2024, offering more affordable homeownership opportunities compared to the national average.
Drawbacks
New Britain's unemployment rate was 8.3% in July 2026, significantly higher than the national rate.
The poverty rate in New Britain was 18.08% in 2026.
The homeownership rate in New Britain was 45.1% in 2024, which is lower than the national average.
New Britain exhibits a medium to high car dependency, with most residents driving alone to work.
While home care costs are relatively lower, assisted living and nursing home costs in Connecticut are considerably high.
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
New Britain
#473Connecticut, USA
54.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,600
Avg Salary
$43,281
Cost Index
84
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
8.30%
Livability
68
Business
65
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