Cost to Own
United States › Connecticut › South Central Connecticut Planning Region › West Haven Population 55,147 Data vintage ACS 2023 5-Year Rates updated 2026-10-29
Before you budget for West Haven FEMA rates natural hazard risk in South Central Connecticut Planning Region Relatively High, with hurricane its highest-ranked hazard against other US counties. It shapes what insurers charge here. See what threatens homes in this county

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in West Haven, Connecticut

A $265,000 home here costs

$2,576

per month, all in, with 20% down at today's 7.24% 30-year fixed rate. By the 28% rule that takes a household income of about $110,500 a year.

P&I 56%Tax 22%Insurance 4%Utilities 9%Upkeep 9%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $1,445. The real number is $1,132 higher every month, 78% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare South Central Connecticut Planning Region with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

West Haven median: $265,200
Under 20% adds PMI
Freddie Mac PMMS
CT average household

Where every dollar goes

Only the first line is a mortgage payment. Change any assumption above and every figure below recalculates.

Principal & interest30-year fixed, $212,000 borrowed $1,445
Property tax2.599% effective rate for West Haven itself $574
Homeowners insuranceConnecticut averages $1,651/yr (NAIC), or 0.446% of home value $98
Electricity24.51ยข/kWh, Connecticut residential average, EIA $170
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $221
Total monthly $2,576

West Haven against South Central Connecticut Planning Region and Connecticut

MeasureWest HavenSouth Central Connecticut Planning Region
Median home value$265,200$328,300
Median property tax$6,892$6,676
Effective tax rate2.599%2.034%
Median gross rent$1,389$1,463
Population55,147566,803

The weather behind that power bill

West Haven sits in South Central Connecticut Planning Region, which averages a high of 82.1°F in its hottest month and a low of 23.0°F in its coldest, with 41.79" of precipitation a year and 27% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 765 cooling and 5,455 heating degree days, which is what sets the $170 electricity line above.

See the full climate breakdown for South Central Connecticut Planning Region , month by month temperatures, rainy season timing, snowfall and heating and cooling costs.

Other cities in South Central Connecticut Planning Region

Full South Central Connecticut Planning Region cost breakdown · Every county in Connecticut

Talk to someone who works this market

These are West Haven averages. What one specific house costs to own, or what it would sell for today, depends on the street and the condition of the place. We will connect you with one licensed local agent who works West Haven every week. Free, no obligation, and we never sell your details to a list.

I'm looking to buy in West Haven I already own here and may sell

Common questions

How much does it cost to own a home in West Haven?

A $265,000 home in West Haven, Connecticut costs approximately $2,576 per month with 20% down at 7.24%. That is $1,445 principal and interest, $574 property tax, $98 homeowners insurance, $238 utilities and $221 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in West Haven?

West Haven has an effective property tax rate of 2.599%, based on a median home value of $265,200 and median real estate taxes of $6,892. That is higher than the South Central Connecticut Planning Region average of 2.034%.

What is the average home price in West Haven?

The median owner-occupied home value in West Haven, Connecticut is $265,200, against $328,300 across South Central Connecticut Planning Region.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in West Haven?

Median gross rent in West Haven is $1,389 a month, against $2,576 to own the median home all in. Renting costs less month to month here, though renting builds no equity.

What salary do you need to buy a home in West Haven?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in West Haven, Connecticut at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $110,500 a year. That covers the full $2,576 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for West Haven, US Census Bureau, American Community Survey ACS 2023 5-Year, place-level tables.
  • Homeowners insurance, NAIC average premium for Connecticut.
  • Electricity price, EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A.
  • Mortgage rate, Freddie Mac PMMS, refreshed weekly.
  • Maintenance (1%/yr) and water and sewer ($68/mo) are national estimates. Every assumption above is editable.

Full methodology