City Comparison
West Haven vs Stratford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
West Haven scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
West Haven
Stratford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
West Haven is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Stratford.
Housing costs are a major driver: West Haven's average rent is
10% lower than Stratford's.
| Metric | West Haven | Stratford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,950 | -10% |
| Groceries | $420 | $460 | -9% |
| Utilities | $195 | $190 | +3% |
| Transport | $125 | $130 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $260 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,730 | $2,990 | -9% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 118 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Stratford offers 13% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Stratford 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 Stratford.
| Metric | West Haven | Stratford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,963 idx | 66,102 idx |
| Household Income | $72,500 | $88,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.4°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Stratford sees 1.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | West Haven | Stratford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.50°F | 52.90°F |
| Summer High | 81.00°F | 80.40°F |
| Winter Low | 23.40°F | 24.20°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.
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 | Stratford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 61.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
West Haven is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Stratford.
From a growth perspective, West Haven is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | West Haven | Stratford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,584 | 52,305 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 42.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.50% |
| 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.
Stratford
Advantages
Direct access to Long Island Sound with scenic waterfront parks like Short Beach and Long Beach.
Convenient commuter access via the Stratford Metro-North train station along the New Haven Line.
Strong local employment anchored by major aerospace and manufacturing employers like Sikorsky Aircraft.
Rich colonial history and distinct neighborhood character, including the scenic Lordship peninsula.
More attainable housing options compared to immediate neighboring towns in western Fairfield County.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and property taxes remain notably higher than the national U.S. average.
High degree of car dependency for daily errands outside of immediate downtown and transit areas.
Vulnerability to coastal weather events and occasional flooding along low-lying shoreline areas.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major corridors like I-95 and Route 1.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options directly within town borders compared to larger cities.
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
Stratford
#462Connecticut, USA
55.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
52.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
77
Business
70
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