Best Cities for Families in Connecticut
Connecticut ranks #8 of 50 for families, with a families score of 80.0. West Hartford is its best city for families at 72.9.
- Connecticut, all states
- #8 of 50
- Population
- 63,620
Why Connecticut Works for Families
Connecticut is a top-ten state for families, ranking #8 out of 50. With strong schools, a low violent crime rate of 109.6 per 100K residents, and a median household income of $96,049, the state offers a solid foundation for raising children. Housing costs track close to the national average with a cost-of-living index of 103.6.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Connecticut delivers on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 88.9%, roughly in line with national norms. School quality has been a consistent strength, reflected in an education score of 74/100. At $18,616 a year for center-based infant care, childcare is a significant budget item that families need to plan for.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Connecticut excels here with one of the lowest violent crime rates in the country at 109.6 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). The higher cost of living (index: 103.6) means families typically need above-average incomes to maintain a comfortable standard of living.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1West Hartford | A+ | 72.9 | 75.4 | 88 | 90 | 58 | 63,620 |
| 2Milford city | A+ | 69.1 | 69.3 | 92 | 89 | 55 | 51,023 |
| 3Shelton | A | 68.1 | 66.9 | 80 | 99 | 58 | 41,889 |
| 4Bristol | B+ | 67.9 | 62.7 | 77 | 99 | 70 | 61,462 |
| 5Middletown | A | 67.0 | 63.8 | 85 | 96 | 66 | 47,958 |
| 6Naugatuck | A | 66.8 | 63.9 | 72 | 97 | 70 | 31,800 |
| 7Stamford | A+ | 66.1 | 67.9 | 81 | 90 | 40 | 137,144 |
| 8Norwalk | A | 65.8 | 67.0 | 79 | 97 | 45 | 92,187 |
| 9West Haven | B+ | 64.9 | 59.4 | 68 | 96 | 65 | 55,351 |
| 10Torrington | B+ | 64.4 | 59.9 | 74 | 92 | 76 | 35,547 |
| 11Norwich | B | 63.8 | 57.4 | 72 | 86 | 72 | 39,973 |
| 12East Hartford | B | 63.4 | 58.7 | 68 | 91 | 72 | 50,918 |
| 13Meriden | B | 61.3 | 56.7 | 67 | 85 | 69 | 60,545 |
| 14Danbury | B+ | 60.2 | 59.2 | 63 | 90 | 54 | 87,263 |
| 15Manchester | B | 59.8 | 57.6 | 68 | — | 70 | 36,759 |
| 16New Britain | C+ | 58.7 | 53.1 | 75 | 68 | 72 | 74,223 |
| 17Waterbury | D | 57.2 | 48.7 | 65 | 71 | 74 | 114,869 |
| 18New Haven | C+ | 57.0 | 52.7 | 65 | 59 | 65 | 134,349 |
| 19Bridgeport | C | 56.1 | 52.1 | 53 | 82 | 65 | 149,153 |
| 20Hartford | D | 56.0 | 48.0 | 68 | 61 | 71 | 121,127 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: Connecticut for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Connecticut a good state for families?
Connecticut ranks #8 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 80.0/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (90/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (24/100).
What is the best city for families in Connecticut?
West Hartford ranks #1 in Connecticut for families with a score of 72.9/100, followed by Milford city and Shelton.
What factors are most important for families in Connecticut?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.