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City Report · CT

East Lyme

·12th most expensive in Connecticut·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,618/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+1.7%
vs US Median
+$656
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
East Lyme · $2,618
More expensive than 82% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
44% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,618/mo, rent takes about 44% of the US median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$105,000/yr
US median income
$72,000/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using East Lyme's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,420
1 BR
$1,690
2 BR
$2,070
3 BR
$2,680
4 BR+
$3,470
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,070/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,618 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
$31,416/yr
At $2,618/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, +1.7% MoM), not inventory.
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View East Lyme rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in East Lyme on your salary?

At $2,618/mo, how East Lyme rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

East Lyme rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in East Lyme

About renting in East Lyme, CT

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in East Lyme is $2,618/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,420/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,070/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,690/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,680/mo.

At 44% of estimated US median household income ($72,000/yr), East Lyme ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is East Lyme an affordable city for renters?

East Lyme is considered stretched for renters. At $2,618/mo, rent takes approximately 44% of the US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. East Lyme significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in East Lyme?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $105,000/year (~$50/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,618/mo in East Lyme.

Is rent going up or down in East Lyme?

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

How does East Lyme rent compare to other cities in Connecticut?

East Lyme is one of the pricier cities in Connecticut for rent, ranking #12 out of 54 tracked cities at $2,618/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than East Lyme?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than East Lyme ($2,618/mo): New London ($1,589/mo), Willimantic ($1,758/mo), Norwich ($1,842/mo).

How does East Lyme rent compare to the national average?

East Lyme's median rent of $2,618/mo is $656 (33%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Connecticut, it ranks #12 out of 54 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
44%
STRETCHED

At $2,618/mo, rent takes ~44% of US median household income ($72,000/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

East Lyme 44%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3–6.99%
Run the East Lyme affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in East Lyme
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Neighborhoods

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