City Comparison

New Haven vs Vancouver

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

New Haven

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

Vancouver

Washington
122
Expensive
$525,000
Median Home
$1,650/mo
Median Rent
$79,300
Median Income

The Verdict

3.3%

New Haven is 3.3% less expensive than Vancouver overall. A household earning $75,000 in New Haven would need approximately $77,542 in Vancouver to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
137
New Haven
163
Vancouver
Groceries
106
New Haven
104
Vancouver
Utilities
124
New Haven
87
Vancouver
Transportation
102
New Haven
112
Vancouver
Healthcare
114
New Haven
103
Vancouver

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in New Haven has the same purchasing power as $77,542 in Vancouver.

Conversely, $75,000 in Vancouver equals $72,541 in New Haven.

Living in New Haven vs Vancouver

Housing Costs

New Haven's housing index of 137 is lower Vancouver's 163, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $525,000. The $275,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,880 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in New Haven compared to $1,650/mo in Vancouver, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in New Haven and 104 in Vancouver. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in New Haven vs $494/month in Vancouver. 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 124 in New Haven and 87 in Vancouver. Monthly utility bills average approximately $496 in New Haven vs $348 in Vancouver. 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 114 in New Haven and 103 in Vancouver. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $42,158 in New Haven and $79,300 in Vancouver. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $35,727 and $65,000 respectively. Vancouver residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $984/month to housing in New Haven vs $1,850/month in Vancouver. In New Haven, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Vancouver, median rent of $1,650/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

New Haven is 3.3% more affordable overall with an index of 118 vs 122.
A $75,000 salary in New Haven has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,542 in Vancouver, based on the cost of living difference.
New Haven's housing index is 137 with median homes at $250,000, while Vancouver's is 163 with median homes at $525,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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