New Haven CT vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Haven
132,893
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
New Haven
36.8%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.8 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 36.8% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 30.6% | 7.8% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 3.9% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $59,120 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 32.3% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $411,323 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 450 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2150 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
New Haven +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 17.3% | New Haven + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.3% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | 72.1°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 27.7 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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