The 20 Most Affordable Places to Live in Connecticut
Everyone has different priorities when they are choosing an area to make their home. For some people, the emphasis is on living in the catchment area of the top schools, while finding employment is an incentive for others.
Some other factors that can influence a person’s decision regarding where to live include the area’s safety, the community’s diversity, and the range of leisure activities.
For those with a limited budget, the biggest priority is often the area’s affordability, which applies to both property prices and the overall cost of living. If you are moving to Connecticut, then you will find that the affordability of areas varies significantly. Here are the 20 most affordable places to live in Connecticut.
20. New Haven
New Haven is the principal municipality in Greater New Haven, and it has a population of more than 130 thousand people. It is the second-largest city in Connecticut, and it is part of the New York Metropolitan Area.
The city is on the northern shore of Long Island Sound, which is a fantastic location for those who commute daily to New York City for work. According to Best Places, the median house cost in New Haven is just under $172 thousand, which is significantly less than both the state and national averages.
19. Norwalk
Norwalk is a city in Fairfield County that is on the northern shore of Long Island Sound and has a population greater than 88 thousand people. Due to its location, it is part of the Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk CT Metropolitan and the New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA Statistical Areas. Norwalk’s affordability makes it a popular place to live for those who work in the surrounding major cities but cannot afford the higher property prices.
18. Danbury
Danbury is in 18th position regarding the most affordable places to live in Connecticut. This city is in Fairfield County, and it has a population of almost 85 thousand people, so it is the seventh most populous city in Connecticut.
It is by the Still River, and it is approximately 70 miles from the city center of New York. In addition to the affordability of this city, it also has a lot of other things going for it. For example, there are good schools, a lively nightlife, a diverse community, and lots of outdoor activities.
17. New London
Sitting on the northeast coast of the United States, New London is a seaport city and a port of entry that lies at the mouth of the Thames River. It is a relatively small town, with a population of just over 27 thousand.
Not only is this one of the most affordable places to live in Connecticut, but there are also plentiful employment opportunities in the area. Furthermore, there are excellent leisure activities in the area, including Lyman Allyn Art Museum, Fort Trumbull, The Custom House Maritime Museum, and Ocean Beach Park.
16. Ansonia
Ansonia is one of the smaller cities in Connecticut, with under 19 thousand people living in the area. It is in New Haven County and sits on the Naugatuck River, just north of Derby and within easy reach of New Haven.
One of the city’s best features its excellent transport links, which makes it a wonderful place to live if you work in nearby cities and plan to use public transport to commute. The affordability of Ansonia is also an appealing feature, as the residents can live in reasonably priced homes while having access to the amenities and leisure activities in the surrounding area.
15. Hartford
In the 15th position on this list of the most affordable places to live in Connecticut is Hartford, which is the capital of the state, although it is only the third-largest city in Connecticut. Hartford is notable for its historical landmarks and its employment opportunities in various sectors.
Almost 124 thousand people call this city home, and the affordable properties and low cost of living are two of the main reasons for this choice. As the state’s capital, Hartford is a hive of activity, with lots of parks, restaurants, bars, and attractions.
14. Bridgeport
Located in Fairfield County, Bridgeport is the largest city in Connecticut and has a population of more than 146 thousand people. Bridgeport sits at Pequonnock River’s mouth on Long Island Sound, and Stratford, Fairfield, and Trumbull border it.
Its proximity to Manhattan and the Bronx means that this is an appealing place to live for city workers who cannot afford the astronomical prices of the property in New York City. Bridgeport is a much more affordable option, and it is within easy commuting distance of New York.
13. Groton
Groton is a town in New London County along the Thames River, close to New London and Waterford. It is an amazing place to live due to the wide range of leisure activities in the area. Some of the top attractions include Mystic Museum, Ocean Beach Park, and Mystic Seaport Museum.
It is also one of the most affordable areas in Connecticut in terms of renting, purchasing a house, and the cost of living. Groton has a population of approximately 40 thousand people.
12. Shelton
According to Niche, Shelton is a town in Fairfield County that has a population of just over 41 thousand people. The town appeals to families, as it has reasonable house prices, various outdoor and family-oriented activities, highly-rated public schools, and low crime rates. There are also plenty of pretty parks and outstanding restaurants in the area, which has a dense suburban feel.
11. Derby
Narrowly missing a position in the top ten most affordable places to live in Connecticut is Derby, a town in New Haven County with under 13 thousand people. Although the community is diverse, the area is particularly appealing to families and young professionals. In addition to the reasonable house prices and low cost of living, this city also has a great nightlife, many leisure activities, and good transport links.
10. Milford
There are excellent beaches in Milford, and this is one of the biggest attractions of living in this area. The city has around 52 thousand residents, and it boasts a diverse community. It may seem a little strange that Milford makes it onto the list of the cheapest places to live in Connecticut, as the median house price is over $300 thousand.
However, the average household income is also high, so there is a relatively low house price or rent to income ratio. It is also worth noting that unemployment rates in this city are low.
9. West Haven
Located in New Haven County, West Haven is a city with a population of around 55 thousand residents. The median home value in West Haven is $194,000, and it is the 14th cheapest place in the state to rent a property. Another reason to consider making West Haven your home is that it boasts some of the best beaches in Connecticut. Therefore, West Haven is a good option for those who enjoy the beach lifestyle and spending time outdoors.
8. Middletown
If the affordability of a location is one of your primary concerns, then an excellent choice in Connecticut is Middletown. It is a city just south of Hartford that has a population of a little over 46 thousand. The median rent is significantly lower than the average for the state, and the median property price is around $227,000.
There are many excellent schools in Middletown and the surrounding area, and the city is home to Wesleyan University, which is a private liberal arts school. Middletown is a fantastic place to raise a family, as there are so many family-oriented activities in this city. The Crazy Tourist lists some of the best attractions as the Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park, Kidcity Children’s Museum, and Wadsworth Falls State Park.
7. New Britain
The seventh least expensive place to live in Connecticut is New Britain, which is a city just south of Hartford with a population of just under 73 thousand. The median house price in New Britain is just under $160 thousand, so it is the third-cheapest place in the state to buy a property. The house prices are not the only reason to consider making a move to New Britain.
A further reason New Britain is a great place to live is the vast array of leisure activities to enjoy. Some of these include the Museum of American Art and Walnut Hill Park. New Britain has also been named as one of the best places to live in Connecticut for singles.
6. Waterbury
Waterbury is one of the largest cities in Connecticut, and it has more than 108 thousand residents. One of the reasons that people want to live in this city is the low property prices, with the median home value at $128,000.
On the other hand, renting a property is quite expensive compared to other areas in Connecticut. The city has multiple activities and attractions to enjoy, which add to the location’s appeal. However, there are some downsides to this area, including high unemployment and crime rates.
5. Norwich
According to Only In Your State, the cost of living in Norwich is 12 percent lower than the state average. Sitting at the mouth of the Thames River, Norwich is a port city with a lively vibe and plenty of activities for residents and visitors to enjoy. If you are thinking of moving to this city, you can find many affordable properties as the median house price is $12,900.
4. Meriden
Meriden is in the central part of Connecticut, also known as the Constitution State, between Hartford and New Haven. The cost of living in this city is 12 percent lower than the state average. It is the fifth most affordable place to buy a house and the sixth most affordable for renting.
However, the low general cost of living raises this city up to the fourth position on the list overall. Meriden is also an attractive place to live, and you can get one of the best views across the surrounding area from Castle Craig in Hubbard Park.
3. Bristol
Not only is Bristol one of the cheapest places to live in the state, but it is also one of the best overall. Bristol is located between Hartford and Waterbury, and it has more than 60 thousand residents. It is a wonderful place for raising a family as it has many attractions to enjoy, including Lake Compounce amusement park. The cost of living there is low, and the median house price is $195,000.
2. Naugatuck
Just missing out on this list’s top spot is Naugatuck, which has a population of more than 31 thousand residents. If you are renting rather than buying a property, then this is a good place to live as it has the lowest rental prices in the state. It is also the second most affordable city in terms of property prices, with the median property price at just over $82,000.
This city has consistently been listed as one of the most affordable places to live in Connecticut in recent years. Two other features of this area are the low unemployment rate and the range of outdoor activities, including Naugatuck State Forest.
1. Torrington
The most affordable place to live in Connecticut is Torrington, says Home Snacks. It is the most affordable place if you are buying property, with the median property price at $155,700. It is also the third most affordable place in the state if you are renting. Taking into account the median income for the area and the general cost of living, Torrington is the cheapest overall.
Torrington is located in the northwestern part of Connecticut, and it is the largest city in Litchfield County, and it has 35 thousand residents. The city has seen some major improvements in recent years, especially in the downtown area.
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