Connecticut
CT • Northeast
Quality of Life Score
52.09
State Comparison
Connecticut vs New Hampshire
Connecticut is cheaper overall, while New Hampshire has higher incomes, New Hampshire has lower state income tax, and New Hampshire gets more sunshine.
VS
New Hampshire
NH • Northeast
Better quality of life
Quality of Life Score
58.21
Connecticut
14
/ 31
metrics won
Score
VS
New Hampshire
17
/ 31
metrics won
CT wins Housing
NH wins Quality of Life
CT wins Climate
NH wins Income
Quality of Life
Composite score — income, affordability, education, health, and safety.
Connecticut
vs
New Hampshire
winner
New Hampshire scores higher on quality of life — 6.12 points difference.
Quick Take
Connecticut vs New Hampshire
This quick read mixes affordability, housing, income, politics, density, and climate so the biggest tradeoffs show up fast.
- Connecticut is about 1.7 times smaller than New Hampshire.
- Connecticut has a larger population than New Hampshire by 2,228,415 people.
- Connecticut has the lower cost-of-living index. Connecticut is at 113.1, while New Hampshire is at 117.1.
- New Hampshire has the higher median household income at $90,845, compared with $90,213 in Connecticut.
Overview
Key differences overview
These cards keep the comparison factual first, so the biggest tradeoffs in affordability, housing, taxes, politics, climate, and day-to-day living are easy to scan.
Overall Affordability
Connecticut is 4.0 points cheaper overall
Connecticut has the lower cost-of-living index. Connecticut is at 113.1, while New Hampshire is at 117.1.
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Income
New Hampshire income is 0.7% higher
New Hampshire has the higher median household income at $90,845, compared with $90,213 in Connecticut.
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Jobs
Connecticut minimum wage is $9.69 higher
Connecticut has the higher statewide minimum wage at $16.94/hr, compared with $7.25/hr in New Hampshire.
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Housing
New Hampshire homes cost about 1.2x more
Connecticut has the lower median home value at $326,200, versus $377,600 in New Hampshire.
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Taxes
New Hampshire has lower state income tax
New Hampshire has the lower state income tax rate. Its top rate is 0.00%, compared with 6.99% in Connecticut.
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Cost of Driving
New Hampshire gas is about $0.16 cheaper
New Hampshire has the lower regular gas price at $3.925/gal, versus $4.082/gal in Connecticut.
View detailed comparisonFull Comparison
Pick a category to focus on. General shows the most important facts at a glance.
| Metric |
CT
|
NH
|
|---|---|---|
|
Capital City
|
Hartford | Concord |
|
State Color
|
Solid Blue | Solid Blue |
|
Population
|
3,605,944
|
1,377,529
|
|
Median Income
|
$90,213
|
$90,845
|
|
Cost of Living
|
113.1
|
117.1
|
|
Median Housing Value
|
$326,200
|
$377,600
|
|
Property Tax
|
1.81%
|
1.66%
|
|
State Income Tax
|
6.99%
|
None (0%)
|
|
Minimum Wage
|
$16.94/hr
|
$7.25/hr
|
|
Gas Price
|
$4.082/gal
|
$3.925/gal
|
|
Electricity Rates
|
28.30 c/kWh
|
26.32 c/kWh
|
|
Livability Score
|
52.09
|
58.21
|
|
Average Temperature
|
49.0°F
|
43.8°F
|
|
Sunny Days
|
82 days
|
90 days
|
|
Land Area
|
5,543 sq mi
|
9,349 sq mi
|
|
Population Density
|
650.5 per sq mi
|
147.3 per sq mi
|
|
Statehood
|
January 9, 1788 (#5)
|
June 21, 1788 (#9)
|
Intent-Oriented
Which state fits your priorities better?
Use these cards as decision shortcuts for common goals like saving money, buying a home, finding better weather, or optimizing for work and family life.
Saving Money
Connecticut is cheaper overall
Overall cost-of-living index: 113.1 vs 117.1 in New Hampshire. On a national baseline of 100, the lower score usually means cheaper day-to-day expenses.
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Gas Price
New Hampshire is cheaper at the pump
Average regular gas price: $3.925/gal in New Hampshire vs $4.082/gal in Connecticut. Lower pump prices can cut everyday driving costs.
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Minimum Wage
Connecticut has the higher minimum wage
State minimum wage: $16.94/hr in Connecticut vs $7.25/hr in New Hampshire. That matters most for hourly, entry-level, and part-time workers.
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Electricity Rates
New Hampshire has cheaper electricity
Average residential electricity rate: 26.32 c/kWh in New Hampshire vs 28.30 c/kWh in Connecticut. Lower cents-per-kWh pricing can help keep utility bills down.
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Buying a Home
Connecticut is more attainable for buyers
Home-value-to-income ratio: 3.62x in Connecticut vs 4.16x in New Hampshire. A lower ratio means the median home is easier to afford on a median income.
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Renting
Connecticut is easier for renters
Rent-to-income ratio: 18.9% in Connecticut vs 19.2% in New Hampshire. A lower percentage means rent takes a smaller bite out of a typical household budget.
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Property Tax
New Hampshire has lower property taxes
Effective property tax rate: 1.66% in New Hampshire vs 1.81% in Connecticut. A lower rate usually means a smaller yearly tax bill relative to home value.
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State Color
Connecticut votes bluer
2024 presidential margin: Dem +14.51 in Connecticut vs Dem +2.78 in New Hampshire.
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Gun Laws
Connecticut has stricter gun laws
Connecticut falls into the restrictive category, while New Hampshire falls into the permissive category on this simplified statewide comparison.
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Alcohol Laws
New Hampshire uses a control-state system
New Hampshire uses a control-state system for liquor sales, while Connecticut uses a license-state system.
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Marijuana Legalization
Connecticut has broader marijuana access
Connecticut currently rates as Legal, while New Hampshire rates as Medical under statewide marijuana law.
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Lower Taxes
New Hampshire has no state income tax
New Hampshire charges no state income tax. Connecticut levies up to 6.99% at the top marginal rate.
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More Space
New Hampshire feels less crowded
Population density: 147.3 per sq mi in New Hampshire vs 650.5 per sq mi in Connecticut. Lower density usually means more space and less day-to-day congestion.
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Shorter Commute
Connecticut has the shorter commute
Average commute: 26.0 min in Connecticut vs 26.1 min in New Hampshire.
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Job Opportunities
New Hampshire looks better for job seekers
Unemployment rate: 3.1% in New Hampshire vs 4.2% in Connecticut.
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Remote Workers
New Hampshire looks better for remote workers
Livability score: 58.21 in New Hampshire vs 52.09 in Connecticut.
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Warmer Climate
Connecticut is warmer overall
Average annual temperature: 49.0°F in Connecticut vs 43.8°F in New Hampshire.
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More Sunshine
New Hampshire gets more sun
Sunny days per year: 90 days in New Hampshire vs 82 days in Connecticut.
See full dataDetailed Metric Pages
Grouped tabs keep the deep-dive links tighter and easier to scan.
Population
Connecticut has a larger population than New Hampshire by 2,228,415 people.
Population Density
Connecticut is more densely populated than New Hampshire.
Bachelor's Degree
Connecticut has a higher college-educated share than New Hampshire.
Advanced Degree
Connecticut has a higher advanced-degree share than New Hampshire.
People Also Ask
Connecticut vs New Hampshire - Common Questions
Q Is Connecticut cheaper to live in than New Hampshire?
Connecticut has the lower cost of living. On the national index (100 = average), Connecticut scores 113.1 versus 117.1 for New Hampshire - a gap of 4.0 points.
Q Which state is bigger - Connecticut or New Hampshire?
New Hampshire is larger, covering 9,349 sq mi compared with 5,543 sq mi for Connecticut - roughly 1.7x the size.
Q Does Connecticut or New Hampshire have more people?
Connecticut has the larger population at 3,605,944, compared with 1,377,529 in New Hampshire.
Q Which state has higher household income - Connecticut or New Hampshire?
New Hampshire has the higher median household income at $90,845, versus $90,213 in Connecticut.
Q Which state has lower income taxes - Connecticut or New Hampshire?
New Hampshire has no state income tax, while Connecticut charges up to 6.99%.
Q Is housing cheaper in Connecticut or New Hampshire?
Homes are cheaper in Connecticut, where the median home value is $326,200, versus $377,600 in New Hampshire.
Q Which state is more densely populated - Connecticut or New Hampshire?
Connecticut is more densely populated at 650.5 per sq mi people per sq mi. New Hampshire is more spread out at 147.3 per sq mi people per sq mi.
Related Comparisons
Methodology
All figures are sourced from U.S. government datasets and updated annually. Page last updated: April 2026.
Core demographic data comes from the 2020 U.S. Census, with land area from U.S. Census Bureau TIGER files and statehood dates from the National Archives. Income, housing, affordability, and tax fields are maintained in our comparison dataset, with minimum wage data from the U.S. Department of Labor, gas prices from AAA, and electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Political control and election fields use 2024 presidential results together with National Conference of State Legislatures data. Gun-law labels use the Giffords scorecard, alcohol system data comes from NABCA, and marijuana status uses NCSL's state cannabis laws tracker. See our editorial policy for how we review and update these pages.