Best Cities for Families in Connecticut
Why Connecticut Works for Families
Connecticut is one of the very best state for families, ranking #5 out of 50. With excellent schools, a low violent crime rate of 136 per 100K residents, and a median household income of $93,228, the state offers a solid foundation for raising children. Housing costs track close to the national average with a cost-of-living index of 104.
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 89%, roughly in line with national norms. School quality has been a consistent strength, reflected in an education score of 98/100. At $15,501 per year for 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 136 incidents per 100,000 residents. The higher cost of living (index: 104) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milford city | A+ | 69.7 | 64.2 | 98 | 93 | 54 | 50,749 |
| 2 | Shelton | A+ | 68.2 | 66.1 | 80 | 99 | 48 | 41,402 |
| 3 | West Hartford | A+ | 67.9 | 66.5 | 88 | 81 | 55 | 63,809 |
| 4 | Middletown | A | 67.4 | 61.1 | 85 | 91 | 60 | 47,646 |
| 5 | Stamford | A+ | 65.7 | 64.2 | 81 | 87 | 43 | 136,212 |
| 6 | Bristol | B+ | 65.3 | 59.7 | 77 | 95 | 62 | 61,129 |
| 7 | Norwalk | A | 64.9 | 62.2 | 79 | 89 | 47 | 92,460 |
| 8 | Naugatuck | B+ | 62.9 | 59.1 | 72 | 91 | 56 | 31,634 |
| 9 | Torrington | B | 62.6 | 56.0 | 74 | 90 | 60 | 35,481 |
| 10 | Danbury | B+ | 61.2 | 58.4 | 63 | 85 | 53 | 86,125 |
| 11 | West Haven | B | 60.7 | 54.9 | 68 | 88 | 60 | 55,147 |
| 12 | Manchester | B | 60.6 | 54.0 | 68 | 86 | 62 | 36,561 |
| 13 | Norwich | B | 60.3 | 53.2 | 72 | 84 | 64 | 39,992 |
| 14 | East Hartford | B | 59.2 | 53.4 | 68 | 81 | 64 | 50,798 |
| 15 | Meriden | C+ | 58.0 | 52.6 | 67 | 76 | 63 | 60,418 |
| 16 | New Britain | C | 55.1 | 49.1 | 75 | 58 | 64 | 74,064 |
| 17 | Bridgeport | C | 53.9 | 48.2 | 53 | 72 | 60 | 148,006 |
| 18 | New Haven | C | 51.6 | 47.2 | 65 | 45 | 60 | 135,307 |
| 19 | Waterbury | D | 50.6 | 43.0 | 65 | 59 | 59 | 114,994 |
| 20 | Hartford | D | 50.0 | 42.9 | 68 | 49 | 63 | 119,674 |