| Index | Orange | Connecticut | National |
| Cost of living | 136 | 118 | 100 |
| Groceries | 105 | 106 | 100 |
| Health care | 113 | 111 | 100 |
| Housing | 200 | 139 | 100 |
| Transportation | 104 | 107 | 100 |
| Utilities | 109 | 108 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 105 | 110 | 100 |
| Household Items | 107 | 106 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 118 | 116 | 100 |

Knowing the cost of living in Orange allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Orange stands at 136, marking it 36% higher than the national average.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Orange 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, Orange falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Orange cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 100.2% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Is Orange affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Orange, for instance, where the median home price falls 115.7% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 64.1% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Orange flaunting a median household income of $195,360, 140.2% higher than the national norm.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Orange comes in at 9.2% higher than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Orange, the transportation index is 4.2% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Orange, healthcare costs are 12.7% higher than the national average.
The Orange cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $203,981 | $16,998 | $4,759 | $6,120 |
| Renters | $81,843 | $6,820 | $1,910 | $2,456 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Connecticut | 6.35% | 6.35% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Connecticut | 3% | 6.99% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Naugatuck, CT | 32,241 | 108 | 7.7% |
| Bridgeport, CT | 149,398 | 109 | 8.6% |
| Heritage Village, CT | 4,620 | 109 | 9.2% |
| Derby, CT | 12,684 | 109 | 9.1% |
| West Haven, CT | 56,258 | 109 | 9.5% |
| Orange, CT | 14,220 | 136 | 35.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Oneonta, NY | 14,213 | 103 | 3.2% |
| Ephrata, PA | 14,211 | 96 | 4.1% |
| Whitefish Bay, WI | 14,209 | 125 | 25.5% |
| North Perth, ON | 14,233 | n/a | |
| D'Iberville, MS | 14,203 | 95 | 5.2% |
| Orange, CT | 14,220 | 136 | 35.8% |