The New Haven metro is home to 566,803 people (down 34.0% over five years), with a median household income of $86,266. Typical rent of $2,043/month works out to 28.4% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of New Haven's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 33.3% |
| Manufacturing | 10.4% |
| Professional & management | 10.4% |
| Retail trade | 9.8% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 8.0% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 28.4% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the New Haven market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $2,043/month suggests a household income around $82,000/year. The metro's median household income is $86,266.
By workforce share: Education & health care (33.3%), Manufacturing (10.4%), Professional & management (10.4%) (Census ACS 5-year).