New Haven CT vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Haven
132,893
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Springfield
33.7
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
Springfield
10.2%
White
New Haven
36.8%
Springfield
40.8%
Springfield +
Black
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 154,751 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.7 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 10.2% | New Haven + |
| White | 36.8% | 40.8% | Springfield + |
| Black | 30.6% | 20.0% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 2.8% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
New Haven +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
New Haven +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
New Haven +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
New Haven +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $51,339 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $27,054 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 8.2% | New Haven + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 25.3% | New Haven + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 19.7% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 49.5% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Springfield
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 326 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
New Haven +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
New Haven +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
Springfield
13.7%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Springfield
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 39.6% | New Haven + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.8% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 21.1% | New Haven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.7% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.1% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 17.5% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Haven leads in median household income at $53,771, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Springfield. New Haven has a lower unemployment rate at 7.7%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Haven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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