Connecticut has attractive coastal towns and cities such as Mystic, New Haven, Scenic Coast Line and the lush Connecticut River Valley. If you currently live or are considering moving to the state, you may have a budget you want to stay when renting or purchasing a home. When it comes to buying a home in Connecticut, the median home selling price is $414,900.
If that price doesn’t fit your budget, don’t worry. Redfin has compiled a list of the 10 most affordable places to live in Connecticut. And they all have a median home selling price under the state average. So read to learn the cities in the top 10.
#1: Waterbury
Median home price: $265,000
Average selling price per square foot: $179
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,340
Median household income: $46,329
Nearest Major Metro: Hartford (25 miles)
Waterbury, Connecticut sales
Apartments in Waterbury, Connecticut
The median home selling price is $265,000, and Waterbury lands the number one spot as the most affordable place to live in Connecticut. Around 114,400 people live in Waterbury, about 25 miles from the nearest metro Hartford. Living in Waterbury, you can spend the afternoon at Hamilton Park, see museums such as the Matatac Museum and the Holy Land of USA Waterbury, and dine at local restaurants.
#2: East Hartford
Median home price: $277,500
Average selling price per square foot: $213
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,125
Median household income: $59,954
Nearest Major Metro: Hartford (4 miles)
East Hartford, Connecticut
East Hartford, Connecticut Apartments
The second in our list of affordable locations to live in Connecticut is East Hartford. With a population of 50,700, living in East Hartford is a great option for anyone looking for a medium-sized city. If you’re calling your East Hartford home, plan your time to take in views of the Connecticut River, explore Wickham Park, visit town restaurants, and check out Great River Park.
#3: Hartford
Median home price: $293,500
Average selling price per square foot: $139
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,651
Median household income: $36,154
Hartford, Connecticut sales
Apartments in Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the third most affordable city to live in Connecticut. When living in the city of 121,100 people, you can visit one of the museums, such as the Wadsworth Athensium Museum and the Mark Twain House & Museum, spend the afternoon in Bushnell Park or take a stroll downtown and the riverfront.
>>Read: Popular Hartford, Connecticut, Neighborhood
#4: Meriden
Median home price: $297,000
Average selling price per square foot: $220
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,200
Median household income: $58,472
Nearest Major Metro: Hartford (20 miles)
Meriden, CT Homes for Sale
Meriden apartments for rent
The fourth is Meriden city, with about 60,800 residents. The median home sales price is $297,000, about $120,000 less than the median home sales in Connecticut. If you’re moving here and hiking along the Meridian Linear Trail, check out parks like Hubbard Park, Dr. Francis Jufrida Park, and Meriden Green, or visit shops in the heart of Meriden.
#5: New Britain
Median home price: $300,000
Average selling price per square foot: $180
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,434
Median household income: $36,154
Nearest Major Metro: Hartford (10 miles)
CT Homes For Sale, New Britain
Apartments in New Britain, Connecticut
Another great area to add to the list is New Britain. Traveling to this affordable city with 74,100 residents will give you the perks of urban living without living in a metropolitan area. Living in New Britain, explore one of the myriad museums, including the New Britain Museum and the New Britain Industrial Museum, and visit Stanley Quarter Park.
#6: Bristol
Median home price: $318,385
Average selling price per square foot: $204
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,250
Median household income: $68,485
Nearest Major Metro: Hartford (20 miles)
Sales in Bristol, Connecticut
Apartments in Bristol, Connecticut
The next city is Bristol, where home prices are found to be around $100,000 less than the state average. Bristol has around 60,800 residents, making it the perfect city to consider buying a home this year. Visit museums such as the Carousel Museum and the American Clock & Watch Museum, check out Birge Pond and Page Park, and explore the downtown area with shops and restaurants, and there are many activities in the city.
#7: New Haven
Median home price: $350,000
Average selling price per square foot: $188
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $2,470
Median household income: $44,507
Nearest Major Metro: New York, New York (70 miles)
CT Homes For Sale, New Haven
Apartments in New Haven, Connecticut
The seventh spot is New Haven, one of the affordable locations in Connecticut. The city has a population of 134,000 and offers visitors to visit Yale University to explore campus grounds, tour the Peabody Museum of Natural History, the Knights of Columbus, and stop by the Beineckelea Book & Manuscript Library. There are plenty of activities to explore during your free time in New Haven.
>>Read: Popular New Haven, Connecticut, Neighborhood
#8: West Haven
Median home price: $376,500
Average selling price per square foot: $239
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,595
Median household income: $64,255
Nearest Major Metro: New Haven (5 miles)
West Haven, Connecticut
West Haven, Connecticut apartments for rent
If you have lived in Connecticut for a while, you may know our 8th city, West Haven. Approximately 55,600 people live in West Haven, five miles west of New Haven. Spend a sunny beach day at Seabluff Beach, explore Sandy Point Bird Sanctuary, or visit museums like the Ward Heitman House Museum, which lived in West Haven.
#9: Bridgeport
Median home price: $385,000
Average selling price per square foot: $213
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,975
Median household income: $47,484
Nearest Major Metro: New York, New York (60 miles)
Sales in Bridgeport, Connecticut
Apartments in Bridgeport, Connecticut
Another great place to consider living in Connecticut is Bridgeport, with a population of around 148,600. Popular things to do in Bridgeport include walking to the Lighthouse on Fayer Weather Island, spending a day at Seaside Beach, visiting Beardsley Zoo in Connecticut, and checking out Downtown Bridgeport, which has its restaurants, museums and shops.
#10: Manchester
Median home price: $392,533
Average selling price per square foot: $195
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,718
Median household income: $36,154
Nearest Major Metro: Hartford (10 miles)
Manchester, Connecticut sales
Apartments in Manchester, Connecticut
A little more expensive than Bridgeport is Manchester, the final city on our list. With a population of nearly 59,700 people, there is still much work to do in the city. Plan to hike the Cheney Rail Trail and check out museums such as the Fire Museum and Lutz Children’s Museum and take in views of Case Mountain.
Methodology: Every city requires more than 50,000 residents per US census, and must have a median home selling price under the average Connecticut median home selling price. Median home sales prices and median sales prices per square foot from Redfin Data Center in April 2025. Average rental data from April 2025. Median household income data from the population and US Census Bureau.
