Quality of Life

California vs Connecticut: Cost of Living

Connecticut is cheaper overall by 25.4 cost-of-living points, but Connecticut has lower median home values.

California

CA · West

138.5

Composite cost of living index (100 = national average). Lower = more affordable.

Connecticut

CT · Northeast

Winner

113.1

Composite cost of living index (100 = national average). Lower = more affordable.

Visual comparison

California138.5

Connecticut113.1

Difference: 25.4 points — Connecticut leads.

National Rankings

Where They Rank Nationally

See where both states fall among all 50 states for cost of living.

California #48 · 138.5

Connecticut #38 · 113.1

Best Worst

10 Best States — Cost of Living

Lower is better

West Virginia

83.6

Mississippi

85.5

Arkansas

87.6

Kentucky

88.0

Alabama

88.6

Oklahoma

88.6

Missouri

90.0

Kansas

90.2

Iowa

91.0

#10

Ohio

91.0

Selected states

#48

California

138.5

#38

Connecticut

113.1

California ranks 48th and Connecticut ranks 38th nationally for cost of living.

Overview

Cost of Living in context

A fast-reading view of the tradeoffs behind the raw cost numbers.

Overall

Connecticut feels cheaper overall

Connecticut has the lower cost-of-living index, beating California by 25.4 points on the overall affordability baseline.

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Housing

pay about 2.1x more for a home

Connecticut has the lower median home value, while buying in California costs materially more at the median.

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Rent Pressure

Connecticut puts less pressure on a median paycheck

Median rent takes a smaller share of household income in Connecticut than in California, which makes monthly budgeting easier.

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Taxes

Connecticut keeps more income after state tax

Connecticut has the lower top state income tax rate, which softens the total cost picture even when prices are close.

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Cost stack

California

Overall affordability

Cost of living index: 138.5
Regional price parity: 113.4
Regular gas price: $5.929/gal
Electricity price: 30.29 c/kWh

Housing

Median gross rent: $1,856/mo
Median home value: $693,700
Owner costs w/ mortgage: $3,001/mo
Owner costs w/o mortgage: $882/mo

Taxes

State income tax: 13.30%
State sales tax: 7.25%
Property tax: 0.70%

Income

Median household income: $84,097
Income after median rent: $5,152
Minimum wage: $16.50/hr

Laws

Gun laws: Restrictive
Alcohol system: License State
Marijuana status: Legal

Connecticut

Overall affordability

Cost of living index: 113.1
Regional price parity: 106.9
Regular gas price: $4.082/gal
Electricity price: 28.30 c/kWh

Housing

Median gross rent: $1,419/mo
Median home value: $326,200
Owner costs w/ mortgage: $2,454/mo
Owner costs w/o mortgage: $1,060/mo

Taxes

State income tax: 6.99%
State sales tax: 6.35%
Property tax: 1.81%

Income

Median household income: $90,213
Income after median rent: $6,099
Minimum wage: $16.35/hr

Laws

Gun laws: Restrictive
Alcohol system: License State
Marijuana status: Legal

What stands out

Connecticut has lower median home values.
Connecticut has the lower overall cost index.
Connecticut has the higher median household income.
Connecticut looks more attainable on home value to income ratio.

Affordability ratios

Owner costs to income

California: 21.0%

Connecticut: 19.6%

What this means