City Comparison

Champaign vs New Haven

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Champaign

Illinois
81
Very Affordable
$215,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$56,100
Median Income

New Haven

Connecticut
118
Above Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$42,158
Median Income

The Verdict

31.4%

Living in Champaign costs 31.4% less than New Haven. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Champaign, you would need $109,259 in New Haven.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
83
Champaign
137
New Haven
Groceries
98
Champaign
106
New Haven
Utilities
106
Champaign
124
New Haven
Transportation
99
Champaign
102
New Haven
Healthcare
90
Champaign
114
New Haven

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Champaign has the same purchasing power as $109,259 in New Haven.

Conversely, $75,000 in New Haven equals $51,483 in Champaign.

Living in Champaign vs New Haven

Housing Costs

Champaign's housing index of 83 is lower New Haven's 137, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $250,000. The $35,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,280 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $1,400/mo in New Haven, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 106 in New Haven. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign vs $504/month in New Haven. Champaign offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 106 in Champaign and 124 in New Haven. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Champaign vs $496 in New Haven. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 90 in Champaign and 114 in New Haven. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,100 in Champaign and $42,158 in New Haven. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 and $35,727 respectively. Champaign residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,309/month to housing in Champaign vs $984/month in New Haven. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In New Haven, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 54 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Champaign is 31.4% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Champaign has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $109,259 in New Haven, based on the cost of living difference.
Champaign's housing index is 83 with median homes at $215,000, while New Haven's is 137 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases