New Haven CT vs Philadelphia PA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Haven
132,893
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
New Haven
36.8%
New Haven +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
New Haven
30.6%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.1 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 14.6% | New Haven + |
| White | 36.8% | 36.1% | New Haven + |
| Black | 30.6% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 15.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
New Haven +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $65,080 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 8.4% | New Haven + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 22.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 34.6% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 319 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1613 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
New Haven +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | 57.1°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | 48.5 in | New Haven + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
New Haven +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | New Haven + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 34.5 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Philadelphia. New Haven has a lower unemployment rate at 7.7%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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