State index

Connecticut state guide

Compare large Connecticut cities by 2025 Census population, young-grad fit, BLS state unemployment, schooling access, cost pressure, commute, and safety-check notes. The current Connecticut subset includes 10 Northeast city pages with a combined 2025 population estimate of 1,051,312.

Open Bridgeport Search Connecticut

State signal

Norwalk, Connecticut has the strongest verified population-growth signal in this Connecticut subset at +3.61% since the 2020 estimates base. For recent grads, also compare fit score, BLS state unemployment, schooling access, cost pressure, safety checks, and commute mode before signing a lease.

City	Catalog	Grad fit	Median rent	Median income	2025 population	City unemployment	Growth	Jobs	Cost
Bridgeport, Connecticut	State starter	53/100	$1,450	$58,685	152,273	9.0%	+2.45%	competitive	rent stretched
Stamford, Connecticut	Connecticut coverage	64/100	$2,276	$111,586	139,535	4.9%	+3.03%	competitive	rent stretched
New Haven, Connecticut	Connecticut coverage	60/100	$1,488	$56,851	138,774	8.4%	+3.55%	competitive	high rent burden
Hartford, Connecticut	Connecticut coverage	47/100	$1,269	$46,411	121,981	10.7%	+0.27%	competitive	high rent burden
Waterbury, Connecticut	Connecticut coverage	52/100	$1,225	$51,886	115,771	9.3%	+1.15%	competitive	rent stretched
Norwalk, Connecticut	Connecticut coverage	63/100	$2,073	$107,616	94,508	5.2%	+3.61%	competitive	rent stretched
Danbury, Connecticut	Connecticut coverage	60/100	$1,846	$83,393	89,033	6.5%	+2.50%	competitive	rent stretched
New Britain, Connecticut	Connecticut coverage	59/100	$1,253	$58,613	76,286	7.9%	+2.88%	competitive	rent stretched
Bristol, Connecticut	Connecticut coverage	65/100	$1,338	$79,076	62,341	7.3%	+2.42%	competitive	rent watch
Meriden, Connecticut	Connecticut coverage	59/100	$1,294	$71,253	60,810	8.0%	-0.03%	competitive	rent watch