F
28%
Overall NAT. AVG.
8%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
72%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Milford city Connecticut National
Cost of living128118100
Goods & Services108109100
Groceries99102100
Health care113109100
Housing172137100
Transportation103100100
Utilities133130100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Milford city, CT

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Milford city is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Milford city is 128, which is 28% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Milford city may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Milford city falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs are a major factor in the Milford city cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 72% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

Is Milford city Affordable?

Is Milford city an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Milford city, the median home price is 73.2% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 69.3% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Milford city come in at $95,785, which is 73.1% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Milford city?

Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.

Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Milford city, the utilities index stands at 33.1% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Milford city, the general sales tax rate starts at 6.35%, and income tax rates begin at 3%.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Milford city, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Milford city is 9% higher than the Connecticut average
  • The cost of living in Milford city is 28% higher than the national average
  • Milford city housing is 72% higher than the national average
  • Connecticut general sales tax is 24% higher than the national average
  • Connecticut state income tax is 33% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Milford city

See all the best places to live around Milford city

Compare Milford city, CT Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$106,642$8,887$2,488$3,200
      Renters$70,455$5,871$1,644$2,114
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Milford city, CT, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Milford city homeowners, is $106,642. This would allow for a maximum of $2,488 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $70,455 which would result in a maximum of $1,644 to be spent on rental costs.

      Connecticut Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Connecticut 6.35% 6.35%

      Connecticut Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Connecticut 3% 6.99%

      Goods & Services

      Item Milford city National avg. Difference
      Haircut $39.78$24.2664.0%
      Beauty Salon $69.00$45.5651.4%
      Toothpaste $3.86$3.704.2%
      Shampoo $1.47$1.2814.8%
      Movie $15.07$12.1324.2%
      Bowling $24.00$18.0033.3%

      Groceries

      Item Milford city National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.28$5.847.6%
      Fried Chicken $1.59$1.571.4%
      Milk $4.83$4.673.3%
      Potatoes $5.03$4.932.0%
      Pizza $13.21$12.099.3%
      Beer $10.53$10.411.1%

      Health Care

      Item Milford city National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $134.70$125.687.2%
      Doctor $162.26$135.7819.5%
      Dentist $136.03$113.2920.1%
      Ibuprofen $11.26$10.655.7%
      Lipitor $375.63$468.6019.8%

      Housing

      Item Milford city National avg. Difference
      Home Price $319,900.00$184,700.0073.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,730.18$2,346.6959.0%
      Apartment Rent $1,607.00$949.0069.3%

      Transportation

      Item Milford city National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.47$3.460.2%
      Tire Balancing $63.33$59.925.7%

      Utilities

      Item Milford city National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $296.64$193.9952.9%
      Phone $185.16$192.253.7%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Bridgeport, CT145,0141098.9%
      Derby, CT12,4201109.7%
      West Haven, CT54,66611010.1%
      New Haven, CT130,38111211.5%
      Ansonia, CT18,70911212.0%
      Milford city, CT52,90212828.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Pensacola, FL52,9181000.0%
      Delano, CA52,82111212.2%
      Peabody, MA53,00414545.4%
      Apopka, FL52,79511010.0%
      West New York, NJ52,77813534.8%
      Milford city, CT52,90212828.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.