D
10%
Overall NAT. AVG.
8%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
11%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index West Haven Connecticut National
Cost of living110118100
Goods & Services108109100
Groceries99102100
Health care113109100
Housing111137100
Transportation103100100
Utilities133130100

An Overview of Cost of Living in West Haven, CT

Getting a feel for the cost of living in West Haven is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in West Haven is 110, which is 10% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

Is West Haven Affordable?

Is West Haven an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in West Haven is 6.6% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 22.7% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. West Haven has a median household income of $64,255, which is 16.1% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in West Haven?

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In West Haven, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6.35%, and the income tax rates commence at 3%.

Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in West Haven displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in West Haven is 7% lower than the Connecticut average
  • The cost of living in West Haven is 10% higher than the national average
  • West Haven housing is 11% higher than the national average
  • Connecticut general sales tax is 24% higher than the national average
  • Connecticut state income tax is 16% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around West Haven

See all the best places to live around West Haven

Compare West Haven, CT Cost of Living

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$90,969$7,581$2,122$2,729
      Renters$41,159$3,430$960$1,235
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in West Haven, CT, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for West Haven homeowners, is $90,969. This would allow for a maximum of $2,122 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $41,159 which would result in a maximum of $960 to be spent on rental costs.

      Connecticut Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Connecticut 6.35% 6.35%

      Connecticut Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Connecticut 3% 6.99%

      Goods & Services

      Item West Haven National avg. Difference
      Haircut $39.78$24.2664.0%
      Beauty Salon $69.00$45.5651.4%
      Toothpaste $3.86$3.704.2%
      Shampoo $1.47$1.2814.8%
      Movie $15.07$12.1324.2%
      Bowling $24.00$18.0033.3%

      Groceries

      Item West Haven National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.28$5.847.6%
      Fried Chicken $1.59$1.571.4%
      Milk $4.83$4.673.3%
      Potatoes $5.03$4.932.0%
      Pizza $13.21$12.099.3%
      Beer $10.53$10.411.1%

      Health Care

      Item West Haven National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $134.70$125.687.2%
      Doctor $162.26$135.7819.5%
      Dentist $136.03$113.2920.1%
      Ibuprofen $11.26$10.655.7%
      Lipitor $375.63$468.6019.8%

      Housing

      Item West Haven National avg. Difference
      Home Price $196,800.00$184,700.006.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,730.18$2,346.6959.0%
      Apartment Rent $1,164.00$949.0022.7%

      Transportation

      Item West Haven National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.47$3.460.2%
      Tire Balancing $63.33$59.925.7%

      Utilities

      Item West Haven National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $296.64$193.9952.9%
      Phone $185.16$192.253.7%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Naugatuck, CT31,2011088.4%
      Bridgeport, CT145,0141098.9%
      Derby, CT12,4201109.7%
      Heritage Village, CT4,46511010.1%
      New Haven, CT130,38111211.5%
      West Haven, CT54,66611010.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Normal, IL54,699991.0%
      Port Arthur, TX54,7058614.3%
      Brookhaven, GA54,72714241.8%
      Burlington, NC54,5348911.0%
      Lenexa, KS54,8041098.7%
      West Haven, CT54,66611010.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.