13 Most Affordable Places to Live in Connecticut

With its charming coastal towns and cities, such as Mystic and New Haven, scenic coastlines and the lush Connecticut River Valley, Connecticut is one of the many East Coast states with plenty to offer its residents. If you’re currently living in or are considering moving to the state, then chances are you have a budget you’d like to stay under when it comes to renting or buying a home. When it comes to buying a home in Connecticut the median home sale price is $431,000. 

If that price doesn’t fit into your budget, don’t worry. Redfin has compiled a list of the 13 most affordable places to live in Connecticut. And they all have a median home sale price under the state’s average. So, read on to learn what cities are in the top 13.

#1: Waterbury

Median home price: $240,000
Average sale price per square foot: $157 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,000 
Median household income: $46,329 
Nearest major metro: Hartford (25 miles)
Waterbury, CT homes for sale
Waterbury, CT apartments for rent

With a median home sale price of $240,000, Waterbury lands the number one spot as the most affordable place to live in Connecticut. About 25 miles away from Hartford, the nearest major metro, Waterbury is home to roughly 114,400 people. Living in Waterbury, you can spend the afternoon at Hamilton Park, tour some of the museums like Mattatuck Museum or Holy Land USA Waterbury, or have a meal at one of the local restaurants.

#2: Hartford

Median home price: $255,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $122 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,678 
Median household income: $36,154 
Hartford, CT homes for sale
Hartford, CT apartments for rent

Coming in as the second most affordable city to live in Connecticut is Hartford. When living in this city of 121,100 people, you can visit one of the museums like Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art or The Mark Twain House & Museum, spend the afternoon at Bushnell Park, or stroll through downtown and the riverfront.

#3: Meriden

Median home price: $265,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $181 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,000 
Median household income: $58,472 
Nearest major metro: Hartford (20 miles)
Meriden, CT homes for sale
Meriden, CT apartments for rent

Next is the city of Meriden, which has about 60,800 residents. The median home sale price is $265,000 which is about $100K less than the median home sale price in Connecticut. If you find yourself moving here, hike along the Meridian Linear Trail, check out parks like Hubbard Park, Doctor Francis Giuffrida Park, and Meriden Green, or visit the shops in the heart of Meriden. 

#4: Manchester

Median home price: $265,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $210 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,715 
Median household income: $36,154 
Nearest major metro: Hartford (10 miles)
Manchester, CT homes for sale
Manchester, CT apartments for rent

A little more expensive than Meriden is Manchester, the next city on our list. With a population close to 59,700, there’s still plenty to do in this city. Plan to hike the Cheney Rail Trail, check out museums like The Fire Museum or Lutz Children’s Museum, and take in the views at Case Mountain.

#5: New Britain

Median home price: $266,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $153 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,400 
Median household income: $36,154 
Nearest major metro: Hartford (10 miles)
New Britain, CT homes for sale
New Britain, CT apartments for rent

Another great area to add to your list is New Britain. With 74,100 residents, moving to this affordable city gives you the perks of city-life without living in a major metropolitan area. Living in New Britain, you can explore one of the countless museums like New Britain Museum of American Art or New Britain Industrial Museum, and check out Stanley Quarter Park.

#6: Bristol

Median home price: $282,500 
Average sale price per square foot: $180 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,110
Median household income: $68,485 
Nearest major metro: Hartford (20 miles)
Bristol, CT homes for sale
Bristol, CT apartments for rent

Another noteworthy city is Bristol, where you’ll find the home prices are about $100K less than the state’s average. Bristol has about 60,800 residents and is a great city to consider buying a home in this year. Whether you visit museums like The Carousel Museum or American Clock & Watch Museum, check out Birge Pond and Page Park, and explore the downtown area with shops and restaurants, there are many activities to do and see in this city.

#7: East Hartford

Median home price: $285,773 
Average sale price per square foot: $193 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,175 
Median household income: $59,954 
Nearest major metro: Hartford (4 miles)
East Hartford, CT homes for sale
East Hartford, CT apartments for rent

Seventh on our list of affordable places to live in Connecticut is East Hartford. With a population of close to 50,700, living in East Hartford is a great option for those looking for a mid-sized city. If you’re going to call East Hartford home, plan time to check out the Great River Park where you’ll find views of Connecticut River, explore Wickham Park, and visit the restaurants in town.

#8: West Haven

Median home price: $310,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $219 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,170 
Median household income: $64,255 
Nearest major metro: New Haven (5 miles)
West Haven, CT homes for sale
West Haven, CT apartments for rent

If you’ve lived in Connecticut for some time, chances are you know of our eighth city – West Haven. About 55,600 people live in West Haven, located just five miles west of New Haven. Be sure to spend a sunny beach day at Sea Bluff Beach, explore the Sandy Point Bird Sanctuary, or visit museums like the Ward Heitmann House Museum once living in West Haven.

#9: Bridgeport

Median home price: $327,500 
Average sale price per square foot: $206 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,050 
Median household income: $47,484 
Nearest major metro: New York, NY (60 miles)
Bridgeport, CT homes for sale
Bridgeport, CT apartments for rent

Another great place to consider living in Connecticut is Bridgeport where the population is about 148,600. Popular things to do in Bridgeport include walking out to the Fayerweather Island Lighthouse, spending the day at Seaside Beach, visiting Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, and checking out downtown Bridgeport where you’ll find restaurants, museums, and shops.

#10: New Haven

Median home price: $361,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $202 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $2,287 
Median household income: $44,507 
Nearest major metro: New York, NY (70 miles)
New Haven, CT homes for sale
New Haven, CT apartments for rent

Taking the 10th spot is New Haven, another one of the affordable places to live in Connecticut. This city has a population of 134,000 and you can visit Yale University to explore the campus grounds, tour the Peabody Museum of Natural History or the Knights of Columbus Museum, and stop by the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library. You’ll have plenty of activities to explore during your free time living in New Haven.

#11: Stratford

Median home price: $431,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $250 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,595 
Nearest major metro: New York, NY (60 miles)
Stratford, CT homes for sale
Stratford, CT apartments for rent

With a median home sale price of $431,000, Stratford is another affordable spot to consider moving to in Connecticut. There are about 52,400 people living in this city, giving Stratford a city-like feel without the hustle and bustle. If Stratford is the city for you, be sure to spend the afternoon at one of the beaches like Long Beach and Short Beach, explore Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, and have a meal along the riverfront.

#12: Milford

Median home price: $415,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $272 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $2,272 
Median household income: $97,951 
Nearest major metro: New York, NY (60 miles)
Milford, CT homes for sale
Milford, CT apartments for rent

The city of Milford takes the 12th spot on our list. For those looking to buy a home, the median sale price is $415,000. If you move to Milford it’s important to know that the nearest major metro is New York, NY, about 60 miles southwest. There is plenty to do in Milford like stop by the Milford Historical Society, check out the wildlife refuge at the Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center, and have a beach day on a sunny day.

#13: Danbury

Median home price: $431,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $254 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $2,225 
Median household income: $73,204 
Nearest major metro: New York, NY (60 miles)
Danbury, CT homes for sale
Danbury, CT apartments for rent

The city of Danbury is another awesome affordable city to consider residing in. With a median home sale price of $431,000 and a population of 86,500 there are plenty of reasons that might convince you to move to Danbury. You’ll find lots of activities as well, such as visiting parks and green spaces like Wooster Mountain State Park Scenic Reserve and Bear Mountain Reservation, checking out the Danbury Railway Museum, and exploring the shops, restaurants, and venues along Main Street.

Methodology: All cities must have over 50,000 residents per the US Census and have a median home sale price under the average median home sale price in Connecticut. Median home sale price and median sale price per square foot from the Redfin Data Center during August 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com August 2023. Population and median household income data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.

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