Norwalk 77 Exceptional
Norwalk Livability #41 ranked city in Connecticut#2,966 ranked city in the USARanks better than 89% of areas
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Norwalk, CT - The Heart of the Gold Coast

Living in Norwalk, CT offers a coastal lifestyle with a strong sense of community and history. Known for its maritime heritage and vibrant arts scene, Norwalk is a dynamic city that blends the old with the new. The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is a major attraction, offering interactive exhibits and programs that highlight the marine life of Long Island Sound.

Norwalk’s dining scene is diverse and sophisticated, featuring everything from fresh seafood at waterfront restaurants to international cuisine in the city’s many neighborhoods. The annual SoNo Arts Festival is a celebration of local art, music, and food, drawing visitors from all over the region. The Wall Street Theater and the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra add to the city’s rich cultural offerings.

For those who enjoy the outdoors, Norwalk offers plenty of opportunities for recreation. Calf Pasture Beach is a popular spot for swimming, picnicking, and boating, while the Norwalk River Valley Trail provides miles of scenic paths for walking, running, and biking. The city’s parks, including Cranbury Park and Taylor Farm Park, offer facilities for sports, relaxation, and family gatherings.

Norwalk’s location on Connecticut’s Gold Coast provides easy access to New York City, making it ideal for commuters. The city is well-served by public transportation, including the Metro-North Railroad, which offers convenient service to Manhattan. Norwalk is also known for its excellent schools and family-friendly environment.

For those considering a move to Connecticut, Norwalk offers a unique blend of coastal beauty, cultural vibrancy, and modern amenities. Whether you're drawn by its maritime heritage, outdoor activities, or proximity to New York City, living in Norwalk, CT provides a rewarding and dynamic lifestyle.

Pros and Cons of Living in Norwalk

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.

  • Crime Crime

    Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Living in this region comes with a high cost of living, translating to elevated costs for homes, goods and services, groceries, utilities, health care and transportation.

What's it like Living in Norwalk?

Norwalk is a mid-sized city located in the state of Connecticut. The city has a population of 91,485 people. In Norwalk, there are 3,997 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. According to the most recent Census, 69% of Norwalk residents are White, 13% Black and 5% Asian. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Norwalk are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 25% of the population also speak Spanish. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Norwalk your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 28 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Norwalk, Connecticut. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like cost of living, health & safety, education, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Norwalk and in the areas around Norwalk is a much easier task.

With a livability score of 75 out of 100, Norwalk is ranked #3,511 in the United States and #49 in Connecticut. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Norwalk could be a great choice! If we take a closer look at each of the categories individually, we see that Norwalk ranks well for crime (A-), employment (A+) and housing (B+). The bad news for Norwalk, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: cost of living (F).

Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Norwalk, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 85 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Norwalk excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Norwalk is actually affordable. The median home price for Norwalk homes is $775,230, which is 58.3% higher than the Connecticut average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Norwalk, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5.8, which is 26.1% higher than the Connecticut average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Norwalk

See all the best places to live around Norwalk

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Compare Norwalk, CT Livability

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      Norwalk transportation information

      Statistic Norwalk Connecticut National
      Average one way commute28min26min26min
      Workers who drive to work72.2%78.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.8%8.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit8.6%4.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.1%2.9%2.8%
      Working from home6.9%4.6%4.6%
      Source: The Norwalk, CT data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.