Connecticut
Connecticut ranks #10 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 74.2/100 and a A grade. Its strongest category is Education (98/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (24/100).
How Does Connecticut Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Connecticut
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | West Hartford | A+ | 66.5 | 63,809 | $125,616 | 52.8 | 102.6 |
| 45 | Shelton | A+ | 66.1 | 41,402 | $114,739 | 51.9 | — |
| 84 | Stamford | A+ | 64.2 | 136,212 | $106,552 | 175.8 | 106.5 |
| 85 | Milford city | A+ | 64.2 | 50,749 | $110,126 | 159.1 | 103.5 |
| 134 | Norwalk | A | 62.2 | 92,460 | $102,195 | 110.2 | 106.5 |
| 168 | Middletown | A | 61.1 | 47,646 | $73,979 | 79.2 | 102.6 |
| 219 | Bristol | B+ | 59.7 | 61,129 | $83,458 | 55.2 | 102.6 |
| 237 | Naugatuck | B+ | 59.1 | 31,634 | $92,184 | 94.4 | — |
| 269 | Danbury | B+ | 58.4 | 86,125 | $79,358 | 215.3 | 106.5 |
| 371 | Torrington | B | 56.0 | 35,481 | $69,611 | 117.9 | — |
| 417 | West Haven | B | 54.9 | 55,147 | $73,566 | 93.1 | 103.5 |
| 451 | Manchester | B | 54.0 | 36,561 | $76,780 | 121.2 | 105.1 |
| 480 | East Hartford | B | 53.4 | 50,798 | $66,943 | 148.2 | 102.6 |
| 487 | Norwich | B | 53.2 | 39,992 | $64,185 | 217.5 | 100.4 |
| 516 | Meriden | C+ | 52.6 | 60,418 | $68,617 | 209.8 | 103.5 |
| 664 | New Britain | C | 49.1 | 74,064 | $58,780 | 506.7 | 102.6 |
| 707 | Bridgeport | C | 48.2 | 148,006 | $58,515 | 395.3 | 106.5 |
| 731 | New Haven | C | 47.2 | 135,307 | $51,158 | 554.9 | 103.5 |
| 857 | Waterbury | D | 43.0 | 114,994 | $43,420 | 403.9 | — |
| 861 | Hartford | D | 42.9 | 119,674 | $42,397 | 589 | 102.6 |
Best Cities in Connecticut for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milford city | 69.7 | 98.0 | 93.1 | 53.5 |
| 2 | Shelton | 68.2 | 79.6 | 99.1 | 47.7 |
| 3 | West Hartford | 67.9 | 87.6 | 81.1 | 54.5 |
| 4 | Middletown | 67.4 | 84.7 | 91.2 | 60.1 |
| 5 | Stamford | 65.7 | 80.6 | 87.1 | 42.6 |
More Northeast States
Connecticut Rankings Overview
Connecticut earns an overall grade of A with a composite score of 74.2 out of 100, ranking #10 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Education (98/100) while its biggest challenge is Outdoor Access (24/100).
Economy & Employment in Connecticut
With an unemployment rate of 4.2% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Connecticut performs below average on economic indicators. The median household income is $93,228, which ranks above the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Connecticut
Connecticut's violent crime rate of 136 per 100,000 residents places it in the top half of states for public safety. This makes it one of the safest states in America.
Health & Education in Connecticut
Connecticut ranks #4 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #2 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Connecticut is 79.7 years, and the high school graduation rate is 89%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Connecticut
Connecticut's total tax burden is 9.9% of personal income, which is above the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 6.99%. The effective property tax rate is 1.79% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 6.35%.
Housing & Affordability in Connecticut
The median home price in Connecticut is $415,000, compared to the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 104 (where 100 equals the national average), roughly in line with national costs. The price-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
Environment in Connecticut
Connecticut has a median air quality index of 39 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 5% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 15.6 (below average risk).
Growth & Migration in Connecticut
Connecticut's population growth rate is +0.8% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is -1.7 per 1,000 residents. 97.6% of households have broadband internet access, among the best-connected states.
Best Cities in Connecticut
The top-ranked cities in Connecticut based on our composite scoring are West Hartford, Shelton, and Stamford. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Connecticut.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Connecticut's overall ranking?
Connecticut ranks #10 out of 50 states with a composite score of 74.2/100 and a grade of A.
Is Connecticut a good place to live?
Connecticut ranks among the top-performing states in America with a composite score of 74.2/100. Its strengths in areas like economic opportunity and public safety make it an attractive place to live for many residents.
What is the crime rate in Connecticut?
The violent crime rate in Connecticut is 136 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Connecticut's economy compare?
Connecticut's median household income is $93,228 with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. The unemployment rate is above the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is above the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Connecticut?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Connecticut are West Hartford, Shelton, and Stamford.
How does Connecticut rank for families?
Connecticut ranks #5 of 50 states for families with a score of 85.4/100. This is a top-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Connecticut rank for retirees?
Connecticut ranks #16 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 67.8/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Connecticut rank for remote workers?
Connecticut ranks #38 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 50.7/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.