Connecticut
CTNortheast · 5 cities tracked · Updated 2026
Connecticut is more expensive than the national average. Across the 5 cities we track, the cost of living index averages 121 (US = 100) and typical rent averages $2,180 a month, 13% above the national figure of $1,932.
State Averages
Avg Gas Price
$4.13
Regular unleaded
Avg Rent
$2,180
All units/mo
Avg COL Index
121
vs. 100 national avg
Connecticut Cost of Living Analysis
Where the money goes
The biggest cost pressure in Connecticut is electricity, at 33% above the national average. The biggest break is car insurance, at 8% below it.
Rent trend
Rent rose an average of 3.7% over the past year across the 5 cities we track, faster than the 2.7% national change. Norwich saw the biggest move (up 5.6%), while New Haven was up just 2.7%.
City to city
Where you live inside Connecticut matters. Typical rent runs from $1,882 in Torrington to $2,880 in Bridgeport, a gap of $998 a month or about $11,976 a year.
Affordability
Rent, gas, groceries, electricity and car insurance take about 43% of median household income in the counties we track, which ranks near the middle of 51 states. Median household income there averages $88,897 (Census ACS 2023). Groceries are counted at what the average household in the region spends on food at home (BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey).
Energy and driving
Regular gas costs $4.13 a gallon, 4% above the $3.98 national average. A typical electric bill runs about $221 a month versus $166 nationally, and full coverage car insurance averages $1,980 a year versus $2,150.
Groceries
Grocery prices in the Northeast rose 1.6% over the past year (BLS food at home), compared with 1.8% nationally. Item prices on our city pages are national BLS averages, so local stores may be higher or lower.
Built from the AAA, Zillow, EIA, Bankrate, BLS and Census data on this site. National comparisons use typical rent of $1,932 a month and gas of $3.98 a gallon. See the methodology.
Cities in Connecticut
Median Household Income by County
Source: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · 9 counties
| County | Median Income |
|---|---|
| 1Western Connecticut Planning Region | $124,553 |
| 2Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region | $101,117 |
| 3Capitol Planning Region | $91,541 |
| 4Northwest Hills Planning Region | $91,035 |
| 5Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region | $87,564 |
| 6Greater Bridgeport Planning Region | $87,135 |
| 7Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | $86,365 |
| 8South Central Connecticut Planning Region | $86,266 |
| 9Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region | $84,185 |
Connecticut Cost of Living FAQ
Is Connecticut expensive to live in?
Connecticut is about 21% more expensive than the national average. Across the 5 cities we track, the cost of living index averages 121, where 100 is the US average.
What is the average rent in Connecticut?
Typical rent in Connecticut averages $2,180 a month across the 5 cities we track as of September 2026, 13% above the national typical rent of $1,932. That ranks the 6th highest of 51 states. The figure is the Zillow Observed Rent Index for all home types.
What is the cheapest city to live in Connecticut?
Of the 5 cities we track in Connecticut, New Haven has the lowest cost of living index at 112. The lowest typical rent is in Torrington, at $1,882 a month.
What is the most expensive city in Connecticut?
Norwich has the highest cost of living index of the cities we track in Connecticut, at 125. The highest typical rent is in Bridgeport, at $2,880 a month.
How much is gas in Connecticut?
Regular unleaded averages $4.13 a gallon in Connecticut as of November 11, 2026 (AAA state average), 4% above the national average of $3.98. That is the 16th most expensive of 51 states.
Is rent going up in Connecticut?
Rent in Connecticut rose an average of 3.7% over the past year across the 5 cities we track, compared with a 2.7% change nationally.
How much is electricity in Connecticut?
Residential electricity in Connecticut averages 24.5 cents per kWh (EIA), versus 18.4 cents nationally. At 900 kWh a month, a typical bill is about $221.
How much is car insurance in Connecticut?
Full coverage car insurance in Connecticut averages $1,980 a year, or about $165 a month (Bankrate and NAIC), compared with $2,150 a year nationally. That is near the middle of 51 states.