Gainesville FL vs New Haven CT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
New Haven
132,893
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
New Haven
31.9
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
New Haven
5.2%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 132,893 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 31.9 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 17.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 59.2% | 36.8% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 5.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
New Haven
$53,771
New Haven +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
New Haven
$34,482
New Haven +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
New Haven
25.0%
New Haven +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
New Haven
37.7%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $53,771 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $34,482 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 7.7% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 25.0% | New Haven + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 37.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
New Haven
$330,564
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Gainesville +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $330,564 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 28.4% | Gainesville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
New Haven
1524
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1524 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
New Haven
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
New Haven
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
New Haven
18.9%
New Haven +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
New Haven
13.2%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 37.9% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 11.7% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 18.9% | New Haven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.7% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.2% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
New Haven
47.1 in
New Haven +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 52.2°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 47.1 in | New Haven + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
New Haven
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
New Haven
23.0 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 23.0 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Haven leads in median household income at $53,771, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Gainesville. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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