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City Report · CT

Darien

·3rd most expensive in Connecticut·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$5,500/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+2.1%
vs US Median
+$3,538
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Darien · $5,500
More expensive than 99% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
92% of income
EXPENSIVE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $5,500/mo, rent takes about 92% of the US median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$220,000/yr
US median income
$72,000/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Darien's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,690
1 BR
$3,260
2 BR
$3,920
3 BR
$4,770
4 BR+
$5,320
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$3,920/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $5,500 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$66,000/yr
At $5,500/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (0.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +2.1% MoM), not inventory.
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View Darien rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Darien on your salary?

At $5,500/mo, how Darien rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Darien rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Darien. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Darien

About renting in Darien, CT

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Darien is $5,500/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,690/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,920/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $3,260/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,770/mo.

At 92% of estimated US median household income ($72,000/yr), Darien ranks as expensive compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Darien an affordable city for renters?

Darien is considered expensive for renters. At $5,500/mo, rent takes approximately 92% of the US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Darien significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Darien?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $220,000/year (~$106/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $5,500/mo in Darien.

Is rent going up or down in Darien?

Rent in Darien has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Darien rent compare to other cities in Connecticut?

Darien is one of the pricier cities in Connecticut for rent, ranking #3 out of 54 tracked cities at $5,500/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Darien?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Darien ($5,500/mo): Norwalk ($2,702/mo), Stamford ($2,959/mo), Huntington ($3,321/mo).

How does Darien rent compare to the national average?

Darien's median rent of $5,500/mo is $3,538 (180%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Connecticut, it ranks #3 out of 54 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
92%
EXPENSIVE

At $5,500/mo, rent takes ~92% of US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Darien 92%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3–6.99%
Run the Darien affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Darien
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

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Public schools near Darien, CT

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