Salary & Cost of Living in East Haven, CT
East Haven, CT: $64,496 median salary, cost of living index 103.4, $15.69/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$64,496
$31/hr
Cost of Living
103.4
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$15.69
per hour
Unemployment
3.5%
rate
East Haven, CT Overview
Population
28,960
Median Salary
$64,496
Average Salary
$72,236
Avg Commute
16 min
Median Home Price
$354,000
Median Rent
$1,430/mo
Job Growth
+2.3%
Sales Tax
6.35%
East Haven is located in Connecticut with a population of 28,960. The median household salary is $64,496 per year ($31/hour), which is $5,112 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 16 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.3%.
East Haven Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in East Haven, CT based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $64,496 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $39,988 | $19.23/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $64,496 | $31.01/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $91,584 | $44.03/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $114,803 | $55.20/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
East Haven Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in East Haven, CT, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$50,534
$4,211.18/month · $1,943.62/biweekly · Effective Rate: 21.6%
Gross Pay
$64,496
Federal Tax
-$5,803
State Tax
-$3,225
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,934
Net Pay
$50,534
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,374.67 | $64,496.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$483.59 | -$5,803.12 |
| Connecticut State Tax (5%) | -$268.73 | -$3,224.80 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$333.23 | -$3,998.75 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$77.93 | -$935.19 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,211.18 | $50,534.14 |
Salary Comparison: East Haven vs Other Cities
See how East Haven's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Haven, CT | $64,496 | 103.4 | $62,375 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Monterey, CA | $64,498 | 152.1 | $42,405 |
| Des Moines, WA | $64,505 | 104.9 | $61,492 |
| Framingham, MA | $64,509 | 144.2 | $44,736 |
| Billerica, MA | $64,529 | 134.2 | $48,084 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in East Haven
East Haven's cost of living index is 103.4 (national average = 100). Living in East Haven is 3.4000000000000057% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$354,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,430
Annual Rent Cost
$17,160
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $50,534 annual take-home pay in East Haven has the purchasing power of approximately $48,872 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $66,689 in East Haven to match a $64,496 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in East Haven
East Haven's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $64,496.
Salary Tips for East Haven Workers
- Research top industries. East Haven's top industries include Finance, Insurance, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $64,496 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate East Haven salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the East Haven-CT metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with East Haven indexed at 103.4.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of East Haven's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $64,496 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Connecticut state income tax (5%) (no local income tax), sales tax (6.35%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for East Haven: 3.5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Finance, Insurance, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.3% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Connecticut.
- Housing context: median home price $354,000, median rent $1,430/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for East Haven, CT:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — East Haven unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — East Haven QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Connecticut — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. East Haven's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Connecticut labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in East Haven, CT?
The median salary in East Haven, CT is $64,496 per year, or $31 per hour. The average salary is $72,236. This is $5,112 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in East Haven, CT?
East Haven's cost of living index is 103.4 (national average = 100), meaning it is 3.4000000000000057% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $354,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,430.
What are the best industries in East Haven?
The top industries in East Haven, CT include Finance, Insurance, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 2.3% and an unemployment rate of 3.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $64,496.
How does East Haven's salary compare to other cities?
East Haven's median salary of $64,496 is 8.6% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 103.4), the real purchasing power is approximately $62,375.
What is the minimum wage in East Haven, CT?
The minimum wage in East Haven, CT is $15.69 per hour. This equals approximately $32,635 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $8.44 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.