New Haven CT vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Haven
132,893
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
New Haven
36.8%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.5 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 36.8% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 30.6% | 6.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 8.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Seattle
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $76,120 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Seattle
44.3%
Seattle +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $871,599 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 44.3% | Seattle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 383 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 3409 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 19.0% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | 52.6°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 28.8 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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