City Comparison

Kent vs New Haven

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Kent

Washington
137
Expensive
$595,000
Median Home
$1,750/mo
Median Rent
$98,300
Median Income

New Haven

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

The Verdict

16.1%

Living in New Haven costs 16.1% less than Kent. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Kent, you would need $64,599 in New Haven.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
195
Kent
137
New Haven
Groceries
109
Kent
106
New Haven
Utilities
92
Kent
124
New Haven
Transportation
117
Kent
102
New Haven
Healthcare
122
Kent
114
New Haven

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Kent has the same purchasing power as $64,599 in New Haven.

Conversely, $75,000 in New Haven equals $87,076 in Kent.

Living in Kent vs New Haven

Housing Costs

Kent's housing index of 195 is higher New Haven's 137, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $250,000. The $345,000 difference in home prices means roughly $22,428 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Kent compared to $1,400/mo in New Haven, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 109 in Kent and 106 in New Haven. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $518/month in Kent vs $504/month in New Haven. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Kent and 124 in New Haven. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Kent 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 122 in Kent and 114 in New Haven. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $98,300 in Kent and $42,158 in New Haven. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,752 and $35,727 respectively. Kent residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,294/month to housing in Kent vs $984/month in New Haven. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/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 58 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

New Haven is 16.1% more affordable overall with an index of 118 vs 137.
A $75,000 salary in Kent has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $64,599 in New Haven, based on the cost of living difference.
Kent's housing index is 195 with median homes at $595,000, while New Haven's is 137 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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