City Report · CT

Norwich

Pop. 39,973·44th most expensive in Connecticut·Norwich rents are up 9.6% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,832/mo
Year-over-Year
+9.6%
Month-over-Month
+1.9%
vs US Median
-$100
Reported rents
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Norwich · $1,832
More affordable than 51% of US cities · National median $1,932/mo
Rent Reality Score
56/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% below what Norwich's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,832/mo
Expected by trend
$1,893/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Norwich's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,030
1 BR
$1,220
2 BR
$1,500
3 BR
$1,940
4 BR+
$2,510
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,500/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,832 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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in Norwich is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in May 2022.

Past year vs. the rest of Connecticut

Rent in Norwich changed +9.6% over the year to September 2026. Across the 41 Connecticut cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.7%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 3 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($65,024) is $1,626 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,500); a 3-bedroom is $1,940.

Cheaper nearby

Killingly, 23 miles away, rents for 11% less ($1,630/mo), about $2,400 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Norwich. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost
$21,984/yr
At $1,832/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 9.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+9.6% YoY, +1.9% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

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Demographics

Who lives here

Norwich, CT is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 23.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
39,973
Median income
$65,024
Median age
38.5
Renters
46.2%
Age distribution
20.9%
24.6%
25.1%
12.4%
16.9%
Under 1820.9%
18–3424.6%
35–5425.1%
55–6412.4%
65+16.9%
Gender
50.4%
49.6%
Male50.4%
Female49.6%
Race & ethnicity
60.4%
21.9%
White60.4%
Black10.5%
Hispanic21.9%
Asian6.9%
Education (25+)
12.5%
35.1%
29.2%
23.1%
No HS diploma12.5%
HS diploma35.1%
Some college29.2%
Bachelor's+23.1%
Housing tenure
53.8%
46.2%
Owner53.8%
Renter46.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2023 vs 2026

How Norwich, CT has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,363 → $1,832
up 34.4%
Income
$59,791 → $65,024
up 8.8%
Population
40,020 → 39,973
down 0.1%
Renter share
47% → 46.2%
-0.8 pts
Bachelor's+
19.5% → 23.1%
+3.6 pts
Median age
39.3 → 38.5
-0.8 yrs

The median rent in Norwich, CT stood at $1,363 in 2023 and currently runs about $1,832, reflecting a 34.4% increase over the period. Household income in the area moved from $59,791 to $65,024 across the same window, up 8.8% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 23.1% of adults here, versus 19.5% in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Norwich, CT look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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View Norwich rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Norwich on your salary?

At $1,832/mo, how Norwich rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Norwich rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Norwich

About renting in Norwich, CT

Last updated: October 17, 2026

The median rent in Norwich is $1,832/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,030/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,500/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,220/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,940/mo.

At 34% of local median household income ($65,024/yr), Norwich ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in Norwich?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $73,000/year (about $35/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,832/mo in Norwich. The local median household income is $65,024/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in Norwich?

Rent in Norwich has risen 9.6% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in May 2022.

How does Norwich rent compare to other cities in Connecticut?

Norwich is one of the more affordable among Connecticut cities for rent, ranking #44 of 54 tracked cities at $1,832/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in Norwich changed +9.6%, against a typical +3.7% across the 41 Connecticut cities Zillow tracks.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Norwich?

Nearby cities with lower median rent than Norwich ($1,832/mo) include New London ($1,700/mo), and Willimantic ($1,717/mo).
Income Affordability
34%
MODERATE

At $1,832/mo, rent takes ~34% of Norwich's median household income ($65,024/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Norwich 34%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3–6.99%
Run the Norwich affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Norwich
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Norwich, CT

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