California vs Connecticut

Connecticut is cheaper overall, while $100 goes further in Connecticut, Connecticut has higher incomes, Connecticut has lower state income tax, and California gets more sunshine.

California flag
California
CA · West
11 / 33
metrics won
VS
Connecticut flag
Connecticut
CT · Northeast
22 / 33
metrics won
Winner
CT wins Housing CT wins Quality of Life CA wins Climate CT wins Income CT wins Demographics CT wins Taxes
Continue with the moving guides: Living in California Living in Connecticut All 50 states State Match
CA 11
22 CT

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Your match

Connecticut fits you better

Connecticut wins 22 of 33 scored metrics against California.

Run the numbers

What's your salary really worth?

California

After state tax
—
Housing / month
—
Left after housing
—
Cost-adjusted remainder
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Connecticut

After state tax
—
Housing / month
—
Left after housing
—
Cost-adjusted remainder
—

Illustrative estimate only. Uses top marginal state income tax rate, BEA Regional Price Parity, and median housing costs — excludes federal tax, utilities, insurance, childcare, and debt.

Full comparison

Every metric, side by side

Pick a category. Each row opens the full breakdown for that metric — national rank, chart, and sourcing.

Capital City
Sacramento vs Hartford
State Color
Solid Blue vs Solid Blue
Population
39,345,844
3,702,543
Median Income
$84,097
$90,213
Cost of Living
138.5
113.1
Median Housing Value
$693,700
$326,200
Property Tax
0.70%
1.81%
State Income Tax
13.30%
6.99%
Minimum Wage
$16.50/hr
$16.35/hr
Gas Price
$5.929/gal
$4.082/gal
Electricity Rates
30.29 c/kWh
28.30 c/kWh
Livability Score
50.49
52.09
Average Temperature
59.4°F
49.0°F
Sunny Days
146 days
82 days
Land Area
163,696 sq mi
5,543 sq mi
Population Density
240.4 per sq mi
668.0 per sq mi
Statehood
September 9, 1850 (#31)
January 9, 1788 (#5)

Tradeoffs

Pros and cons for each state

The biggest advantages and drawbacks pulled from affordability, housing, income, taxes, safety, health, education, jobs, and weather.

California flag

California

Pros

  • California has lower property tax rates on average.
  • California has more sunny days.

Cons

  • California has a higher overall cost of living.
  • California has a higher housing cost index.
  • California has higher median home values.
  • California shows lower median income.
  • California has a higher violent crime rate.
  • California health access/outcomes proxy is lower.
Connecticut flag

Connecticut

Pros

  • Connecticut has a lower overall cost of living.
  • Connecticut has a lower housing cost index.
  • Connecticut has lower median home values.
  • Connecticut shows higher median income.
  • Connecticut has a lower violent crime rate.
  • Connecticut health access/outcomes proxy is higher.

Cons

  • Connecticut has higher property tax rates on average.
  • Connecticut has fewer sunny days.

People also ask

California vs Connecticut — common questions

QIs California cheaper to live in than Connecticut?

Connecticut has the lower cost of living. On the national index (100 = average), Connecticut scores 113.1 versus 138.5 for California - a gap of 25.4 points.

QWhere does $100 go further - California or Connecticut?

$100 goes further in Connecticut. After BEA regional price adjustments, $100 is worth about $99.03 in Connecticut, compared with $92.31 in California.

QWhich state is bigger - California or Connecticut?

California is larger, covering 163,696 sq mi compared with 5,543 sq mi for Connecticut - roughly 29.5x the size.

QDoes California or Connecticut have more people?

California has the larger population at 39,345,844, compared with 3,702,543 in Connecticut.

QWhich state has higher household income - California or Connecticut?

Connecticut has the higher median household income at $90,213, versus $84,097 in California.

QWhich state has lower income taxes - California or Connecticut?

Connecticut has the lower state income tax top rate at 6.99%, compared with 13.30% in California.

QIs housing cheaper in California or Connecticut?

Homes are cheaper in Connecticut, where the median home value is $326,200, versus $693,700 in California.

QWhich state is more densely populated - California or Connecticut?

Connecticut is more densely populated at 668.0 per sq mi people per sq mi. California is more spread out at 240.4 per sq mi people per sq mi.

Related comparisons

Alaska flag Alaska vs Connecticut Arizona flag Arizona vs Connecticut California flag California vs Maine California flag California vs Massachusetts

Methodology

Figures combine government datasets, named research sources, and clearly labeled derived scores. Dataset reviewed July 23, 2026.

Demographics & geography
2020 Census, American Community Survey, TIGER/Line Files, National Archives
Income, housing & cost of living
American Community Survey, BLS, BEA Regional Price Parities, and named market studies
Wages & energy
U.S. Department of Labor, AAA, U.S. EIA
Politics & law
NCSL, Giffords Law Center, NABCA

Data periods differ by metric. Open any individual comparison metric to see its primary source, data period, review date, and calculation note. Daily-changing fields such as gas prices are stored snapshots unless the page explicitly says a live feed is used.

See our editorial policy for how we review and update these pages.