New Haven, CT, has risen in popularity for those looking to rent or buy a home in the region. This New England city is known for many things, most notably as the home of Yale University. New Haven also has a lively downtown area filled with restaurants and shops to explore.
If you want to buy a home in New Haven, you’ll find that the median home sale price is $269,750, the average sale price per square foot is $140, and the housing market is somewhat competitive. And if you’re looking to rent an apartment in New Haven, the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $2,945.
If the New Haven area is right for you, but you’re not certain about living in the city, don’t worry. To help you find the right place to buy a home or rent an apartment, we’ve collected a list of 8 awesome New Haven suburbs to check out. And they’re all less than 30 minutes away from the city, so you’ll be close enough to explore New Haven’s best activities.
#1: West Haven
Median home price: $295,000
Average sale price per square foot: $163
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,720
Driving distance from New Haven: 10 minutes
West Haven, CT homes for sale
West Haven, CT apartments for rent
West Haven, with a median home sale price of $295,000, is first up on our list of New Haven suburbs. Just about a 10-minute drive away from New Haven, you won’t miss out on what the city has to offer. If you’re considering moving to West Haven, stop by the Sandy Point Bird Sanctuary, spend the afternoon at Sea Bluff Beach, or visit the Ward Heitmann House Museum.
#2: East Haven
Median home price: $290,000
Average sale price per square foot: $165
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,975
Driving distance from New Haven: 15 minutes
East Haven, CT homes for sale
East Haven, CT apartments for rent
Only 15 minutes from New Haven’s downtown is East Haven. Some popular things to do in East Haven include spending the day at one of the many beaches like Silver Sands Beach, touring The Shore Line Trolley Museum, or heading to Lake Saltonstall Recreation Area.
#3: Orange
Median home price: $450,730
Average sale price per square foot: $194
Driving distance from New Haven: 20 minutes
Orange, CT homes for sale
Orange, CT apartments for rent
20 minutes away from downtown, you’ll find yourself in the suburb of Orange. Even with a population of about 14,300, there are plenty of cool things to check out in Orange. If you decide to move to this New Haven suburb, go for a hike at Racebrook Tract or check out the scenic view at Tucker’s Ridge.
#4: North Haven
Median home price: $396,500
Average sale price per square foot: $226
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $2,695
Driving distance from New Haven: 15 minutes
North Haven, CT homes for sale
North Haven, CT apartments for rent
North Haven is another great suburb that you may want to check out if you’re ready to live outside of New Haven. There are several top attractions you may want to check out in this New Haven suburb. Make sure to visit one of the many parks and green spaces like Wharton Brook State Park, Peter’s Rock Association, or Tidal Marsh Trail.
#5: Milford
Median home price: $362,500
Average sale price per square foot: $279
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $2,295
Driving distance from New Haven: 20 minutes
Milford, CT homes for sale
Milford, CT apartments for rent
About a 20-minute drive into the city, consider adding Milford to your list of New Haven suburbs to check out. In Milford, you can visit the wildlife refuge at the Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center, spend the day at one of the beaches, or visit the Milford Historical Society.
#6: Ansonia
Median home price: $305,000
Average sale price per square foot: $164
Driving distance from New Haven: 25 minutes
Ansonia, CT homes for sale
Ansonia, CT apartments for rent
Sixth on the list is another well-known New Haven suburb, Ansonia. This area has about 18,900 residents and is a great suburb to consider buying a home or renting an apartment. In Ansonia, you can explore the Ansonia Nature & Recreation Center, check out the charming downtown, and take in the views of the Naugatuck River, among many other local favorites.
#7: Derby
Median home price: $285,000
Average sale price per square foot: $174
Driving distance from New Haven: 25 minutes
Derby, CT homes for sale
Derby, CT apartments for rent
Next on our list of New Haven suburbs is Derby, which is roughly a 25-minute drive into the heart of the city. With a population of about 12,300, living in Derby is a great alternative to New Haven’s hustle and bustle. If you’re going to call this area home, plan time to stroll through Osbornedale State Park and visit the Osborne Homestead Museum.
#8: Shelton
Median home price: $464,000
Average sale price per square foot: $225
Driving distance from New Haven: 30 minutes
Shelton, CT homes for sale
Shelton, CT apartments for rent
Rounding out our list of New Haven suburbs is Shelton. This suburb is home to 40,900 residents, so you’ll have a fraction of New Haven’s population while remaining only 30 minutes from the city. Once moving to Shelton, you’ll want to visit Indian Well State Park and take in the scenery.
Methodology: Whether a suburb is under a 30-minute drive from downtown New Haven. List organized in no particular order. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during November 2022. Average rental data from Rent.com November 2022. Population data sourced from United States Census Bureau.
This post first appeared on Redfin.com. To see the original, click here.