ZIP Code · CT

ZIP 06451

Part of Meriden, CT

Pop. 24,851·New Haven County·48th most expensive ZIP in Connecticut

Median rent (all units)

$1,964/mo

Year-over-Year

Stable

Month-over-Month

-1.5%

vs US Median

+$32

Reported rents

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 06451 · $1,964

More expensive than 59% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,220

1 BR

$1,410

2 BR

$1,750

3 BR

$2,160

4 BR+

$2,550

Research median

$1,750/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($71,255) is $1,781 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,750); a 3-bedroom is $2,160.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 06705, 9 miles away, rents for 16% less ($1,644/mo), about $3,800 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 06451. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$23,568/yr

At $1,964/mo median

Location

CityMeriden

StateCT

CountyNew Haven County

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (down 0.0% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -1.5% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 06451 (Meriden, CT) is majority owner-occupied, 19.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

24,851

Median income

$71,255

Median age

38.8

Renters

43.1%

Age distribution

22.5%

21.4%

25.2%

16.1%

14.8%

Under 1822.5%

18–3421.4%

35–5425.2%

55–6416.1%

65+14.8%

Gender

49.5%

50.5%

Male49.5%

Female50.5%

Race & ethnicity

51.2%

40.2%

White51.2%

Black8.9%

Hispanic40.2%

Asian1.2%

Education (25+)

14.2%

36%

30.1%

19.7%

No HS diploma14.2%

HS diploma36%

Some college30.1%

Bachelor's+19.7%

Housing tenure

56.9%

43.1%

Owner56.9%

Renter43.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 06451 in Meriden, CT has changed in 5 years

Income

$60,034 → $71,255

up 18.7%

Population

24,423 → 24,851

up 1.8%

Renter share

48.4% → 43.1%

-5.3 pts

Bachelor's+

20.8% → 19.7%

-1.1 pts

Median age

40.1 → 38.8

-1.3 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 06451 in Meriden, CT now reports about $71,255, up from $60,034 in 2021. The population has grown by 1.8% since 2021, moving from about 24,423 residents to roughly 24,851. Renters now make up 43.1% of households, compared with 48.4% five years ago.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 06451

About renting in ZIP 06451

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 06451 covers Meriden, CT. The median rent here is $1,964/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,410/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,750/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($71,255/yr), ZIP 06451 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 06451?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $79,000/year (about $38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,964/mo in ZIP 06451. The local median household income is $71,255/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.