Insights » Cost of Living in Connecticut: Cities Where Household Expenses are Highest and Lowest in 2024

Cost of Living in Connecticut: Cities Where Household Expenses are Highest and Lowest in 2024

Connecticut skyline

What is the cost of living in Connecticut? doxo breaks down key insights about Connecticut’s household expenses, with a close look into how bills differ between towns and cities across the state. 

According to doxo’s The Cost of Bills Index™ (COBI), the average household in Connecticut pays $2,569 in monthly expenses. doxoINSIGHTS compares the cost of the ten most common household bills across different regions. This includes Utilities, Cable & Phone, Mobile Phone, Auto Loans, Auto Insurance, Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Alarm & Security, Rent, and Mortgage.

The data sheds light on Connecticut’s cost of living through other metrics as well. For example, the “percent of household income” data point shows what percentage of their household income residents spend on bills each month. 

By leveraging these tools, residents can gain a clearer understanding of their household expenses and optimize their financial planning.

Connecticut ranks as the 8th most expensive state in the US for household bills

According to doxo’s COBI report, Connecticut is ranked as the 8th most expensive state in the U.S. for household bills, making it the least expensive state for these expenses. 

At $30,822 per year, Connecticut’s household expenses, on average, are 21% higher than the US average of $25,513. 

Absolute dollar amounts don’t tell the full story, however. doxo’s “Percentage of Household Income” data provides a more proportional look at bill spending in a particular location. Connecticut households spend 31% of their income on bills. 

COBI helps consumers understand how much it costs to live in one area as compared to another as it relates to the most common household bills. For COBI, the number 100 represents the national average and then, states, counties and cities are assigned a number, either above or below 100, based on how they compare to the national average. The COBI for Connecticut is 121.

  • Average Bill Cost per Household: $2,569 per month
  • Cost of Bills Index(COBI): 121
  • doxoINSIGHTS State Rank: #8
  • Percent of Household Income Used for Bills: 31%
  • Compared to the National Average: 21% higher

Connecticut Household Expenses are 21% Higher Than the National Average

The average Connecticut household pays $2,569 per month in the 10 most common household bills. The least expensive of these are alarm and security bills. 

On the lowest end of the spectrum, the average monthly payment for alarm and security bills in Connecticut is $105, compared to the national average of $85, making it approximately 23% higher than the average.

Monthly mortgage bills are the most significant of the 10 most common bills for Connecticut residents. The average monthly mortgage payment is $2,099, compared to the national average of $1,402, making it 47% more expensive. 

Average Connecticut Household Bill Spending

Bill CategoryAverage Connecticut Monthly BillNational Average Monthly BillConnecticut Percent +/- National Average ($2,126)
Mortgage$2,099$1,40250% higher
Rent$1,450$1,30011% higher
Auto Loan$471$4965% lower
Utilities$489$36235% higher
Auto Insurance$210$2090.5% higher
Health Insurance$74$11435% lower
Mobile Phone$142$12117% higher
Cable & Internet$115$1226% lower
Life Insurance$88$871% higher
Alarm & Security$105$8523% higher
Total$2,569$2,12621% higher
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).

Wilton Has the Highest Cost of Living in Connecticut for Household Bills

Residents of Wilton pay the highest household bills in the state of Connecticut, at an average of $3,733 per month. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Wilton is 176, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 76% higher than the national average.

In proportion to household income, monthly bills in Wilton makeup 19% of the average annual household income of $230,545. 

Access detailed infographics about each city or town by clicking on the hyperlinks in the “City” column in the tables below. You can also browse doxoINSIGHTS’ regional bill comparison database to see infographics about more than 4,200 cities and towns across all 50 states in the US.

10 Most Expensive Connecticut Cities for Household Bills

RankCityAverage IncomeMonthly Bill Expenses Per HouseholdCost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard% +/- Than the National AveragePercent of Household Income Used for Bills 
1Wilton$230,545$3,73317676% higher19%
2New Canaan$250,000$3,73113030% higher18%
3Ridgefield$169,623$3,70217474% higher26%
4Westport$242,574$3,65217272% higher18%
5Fairfield$163,264$3,60417070% higher26%
6Darien$250,000$3,59916969% higher17%
7Greenwich$166,722$3,51416565% higher25%
8Newtown$141,197$3,23015252% higher27%
9Monroe$145,714$3,21515151% higher26%
10Trumbull$153,846$3,12614747% higher24%
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).

Willimantic has the lowest cost of living in Connecticut for household bills

Out of 86 cities, Willimantic is the most affordable place in Connecticut, with residents paying $1,892 on average for household bills, accounting for 50% of annual income of $45,752. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Willimantic is 89, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 11% below the national average. 

New London is the second most affordable city in Connecticut, with residents paying $1,911 per month on average.

Also on the list of the 10 least expensive cities in Connecticut are Plainville ($2,004), Norwich ($2,074) and Stafford Springs ($2,087).

[h3] 10 Most Affordable Connecticut Cities for Household Bills

RankCityAverage IncomeMonthly Bill Expense Per HouseholdCost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard% +/- Than the National AveragePercent of Household Income Used for Bills
77Cromwell$101,424$2,1431011% higher25%
78Danielson$69,979$2,135100The same37%
79Windsor Locks$85,570$2,131100The same30%
80Torrington$66,762$2,115991% lower38%
81Winsted$72,625$2,088982% lower34%
82Stafford Springs$92,083$2,087982% lower27%
83Norwich$63,364$2,074982% lower39%
84Plainville$78,867$2,004946% lower30%
85New London$56,237$1,9119010% lower41%
86Willimantic$45,752$1,8928911% lower50%
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).

Some individuals might be considering moving from a more expensive city to a less expensive one. For those making such decisions, doxoINSIGHTS can be a valuable resource. It allows consumers to compare household expenses in Connecticut with average bills in various cities and states nationwide.