New York vs Connecticut: cost of living
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps about $80 more a month in Connecticut than in New York after 2026 taxes, rent, electricity, gas, car insurance, health insurance and groceries. Median rent is 5% lower in Connecticut.
| A month, single filer on $75,000 | New York | Connecticut | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Take-home pay | $4,845 | $4,851 | +$7 |
| Rent (median, incl. utilities the renter pays) | $1,634 | $1,550 | −$84 |
| Electricity (average home bill) | $164 | $170 | +$7 |
| Gas for 1,000 miles a month | $161 | $158 | −$3 |
| Car insurance, full coverage | $218 | $225 | +$7 |
| Health insurance, your share of a job plan (U.S. average) | $139 | $139 | +$0 |
| Groceries (U.S. average household) | $519 | $519 | +$0 |
| Left over after these | $2,010 | $2,090 | +$80 |
Sources: take-home pay from 2026 IRS brackets, SSA wage base and Tax Foundation state rates; rent from Census ACS; electricity from EIA; gas from AAA (1,000 miles at 27.2 mpg); car insurance from Insurify; groceries are the U.S. average household from BLS (2024) in both states. Each figure has its own date, shown on the linked page. Our calculation, a rough guide, not an exact budget.
Compare two states
Same salary in both states, single filer, 2026 taxes. Each cost is that state's average from its own source and date; groceries use the U.S. average in both. Electricity can be partly counted in gross rent. "I own a home" swaps rent for home insurance and property tax but leaves out the mortgage payment. Our calculation, a rough guide.
Common questions
Is it cheaper to live in New York or Connecticut?
Connecticut, by the basics we track. On $75,000 a year, Connecticut leaves about $80 more a month ($958 a year) after 2026 taxes, median rent, electricity, gas, car insurance, health insurance and groceries (our calculation).
What salary in Connecticut equals $75,000 in New York?
About $73,500 a year. At that salary a single filer in Connecticut keeps the same $2,010 a month after taxes and the same basics as $75,000 in New York (our calculation).
How do taxes compare between New York and Connecticut?
New York has income tax from 3.9% to 10.9% and Connecticut has income tax from 2% to 6.99% (Tax Foundation, 2026). On $75,000, take-home pay is about $4,845 a month in New York and $4,851 in Connecticut.
How much is rent in New York vs Connecticut?
The median rent is $1,634 a month in New York and $1,550 in Connecticut (Census ACS).
Planning the move itself? See the full monthly budget for New York or Connecticut, and the take-home pay calculators for New York and Connecticut.