New Haven CT vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Haven
132,893
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
Washington
13.3%
White
New Haven
36.8%
Washington
39.1%
Washington +
Black
New Haven
30.6%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 13.3% | New Haven + |
| White | 36.8% | 39.1% | Washington + |
| Black | 30.6% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 4.1% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 11.6% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Washington
41.1%
Washington +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $580,173 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 41.1% | Washington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
Washington
1999
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 398 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1999 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 24.0% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Washington, DC | 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
New Haven +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 32.8 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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