Livability Score

75
/100
i The AreaVibes Livability Score evaluates 9 different categories and creates an overall score out of 100. The higher the score, the better the area.

amenities A+

There are lots of amenities close to this location.
Coffee (5) B
Entertainment (40) A+
Food and Drink (33) A+
Fitness (9) F
Groceries (15) A+
Parks (92) A+
Shops (55) A+
See more Hartford amenity data

commute A+

Of all people who commute, 13.7% take public transportation in Hartford.
Public Transit Stops (5)
Stops & Stations
A+
Workers Taking Public Transit
13.7%
A-
See more Hartford commute data

cost of living B-

The cost of living in Hartford is 104/100 - which is 12% lower than Connecticut.
Cost of Living
Goods & Services, Housing, etc.
D
Tax Rates
Income & Sales Tax
B-
See more Hartford cost of living data

crime F

Hartford crime rates are 3,048 per 100k, which is 85% higher than Connecticut
Property Crime
2,478 crimes per 100k
D-
Violent Crime
570 crimes per 100k
F
See more Hartford crime data

employment F

The median income in Hartford is $36,154 - which is 50% lower than Connecticut.
Med. Household Income
$36,154
F
Unemployment Rate
6.8%
F
See more Hartford employment data

health A+

There are many hospitals, police and fire stations.
Health & Safety (33)
Dentist, Doctor, Hospital, etc.
A+
Air Quality
Median Air Quality
B+
See more Hartford health & safety data

housing B

Hartford home prices are $170,200 - which is 37% lower than Connecticut
Home Price
$170,200
C+
Home Appreciation Rate
7%
B
Home Affordability
4.7x (home price to income ratio)
F
See more Hartford housing data

schools D-

The Hartford graduation rate is 67% - which is 23% lower than Connecticut
School Test Scores
25%
F
High School Grad. Rates
67%
F
Elementary Schools (57) A+
High Schools (30) A+
See more Hartford education data

ratings F

Hartford has an overall rating of 40% from 22 reviews.
User Reviews (5)
From AreaVibes
F
User Surveys (17)
From AreaVibes
F
See more Hartford user rating data
Amenities Commute Cost of Living Crime Employment Health & Safety Housing Schools User Ratings
Photo of Hartford, CT
( 22 Ratings )

Living in Hartford, CT

Hartford Area Facts

  • Hartford has a Livability Score of 75/100, which is considered excellent
  • Hartford crime rates are 85% higher than the Connecticut average
  • Cost of living in Hartford is 12% lower than the Connecticut average
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Hartford Reviews

Write a review about Hartford Tell people what you like or don't like about Hartford…
Hartford is crummy 0.5 rating By Anonymous ( May 12, 2020) Hartford is a really crummy place to live sure at one point this was one of the best places to live but currently it's still crummy crime, income levels, and unemployment and bad schools are all in the bottom 10 so Hartford isn't really much better actually it's no wonder why hom ...Read More e prices are some of the lowest in the state now this is the only dangerous city in America that I've been to I live in Cumberland, Rhode Island which borders Massachusetts but however I have still been to Hartford I can't believe there is a capital city in Connecticut that is going through some really hard times now they're not Detroit hard times but they're close! Read Less
Detroit from Robocop is better!! 0.5 rating By Enigmasedge ( Feb 24, 2020) I lived in Hartford for one year in 2017 and regretted it ever since. The only reason this has half a star is because I couldn't submit it with a 0. Hartford makes the Detroit from Robocop (The 80's version) look like Paradise!!. Hartford is full of history but essentially is a r ...Read More un down garbage heap that belongs in the deepest darkest corner of the world where it can be locked away and the key melted. The funny thing is West Hartford is not that bad at all, Hartford is awful though. They spent over a million dollars on a baseball stadium for a MINOR league team! It's the nicest thing in Hartford. There is all sorts of garbage everywhere. The buildings are run down and look like crap. Every weekend we went to other cities and had a blast. On the way back to Hartford my 10 year old son goes "God I hate coming back to this craphole." I 100% agree. We have since obviously moved back to Colorado. Read Less
Hartford was my home from 1975 till 2016 0.5 rating By pezmusic ( Oct 14, 2016) Hartford Ct is 18 sq miles of urban decay. Once great city is now drug infested and crime ridden. The city government is single party rule and elected a mayor that had a history of being a gang banger. Surprise he left office over corruption. It has high taxes and still poorly ma ...Read More intained. Education rating of a "B" is laughable. No one with a choose would send their kids to Hartford public school system. People using suburbans address of relatives to send their kids schools in Bloomfield, Windsor, Wethersfield or West Hartford is common. The Hartford schools lost accreditation in 1997. Its just plain grimmy trash everywhere. I do not recommend anyone move there. I left for Nashville TN and its better city then Hartford has been in my lifetime. I will say Trinity College despite the area is one of best liberal arts colleges in country. The Wadsworth, and Mark Twain House are worth seeing. Read Less
Defend Hartford 5 rating By Steve Thornton ( Dec 02, 2013) Hartford is the 2nd worst city in the country? So says "Areavibe," a website that supposedly measures how livable a city is. [ http://www.areavibes.com/library/top-10-worst-cities-to-live-2013/ ]

First of all, lets look at the photo accompanying the review. That ugly old buil
...Read More ding was torn down three years ago. And if you read the critique, it has the same kind of cliches used by people who have only passed through our city. Seriously, very little effort put into this piece.

Many reviewers focus on downtown. Bad idea. The real city has always been the people, an amazing mix of culture and cultures.

Festivals and parades all summer long, jazz every Monday night in Bushnell Park. Great art, music, and movies at Real Art Ways. Astonishing food at El Mercado on Park Street (and that's where you can buy your Rosca del Reyes before Three Kings Day). I count six authentic bakeries (West Indian, Portugese, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Italian, Vietnamese) but I'm sure there are more. Pretty cool farmers' markets that are more like weekly parties. Don't get me started on food.

More park space than seems possible in a small city. Cricket played in at least two of the parks, golf and baseball, dragon boat racing and fishing in others. I could point out where Jack Kerouac, Emma Goldman, Eugene Debs and Dr. King walked when they visited, where 3,000 healthcare workers marched and 10,000 suffragists paraded.

Three professional theaters within walking distance of each other. Free Shakespeare on Mark Twain's lawn. The HartBeat Ensemble's new home, where professionals and local folks tell the city's stories. Charter Oak Cultural Center.

In terms of civic activity (not a valued an indicator of a city's attraction, apparently), you could go to Rawson School in the Blue Hills neighborhood on Election Day and see lines around the block, crowds of people (and pols) who honor Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner every time they vote. Very old churches where social action campaigns are nurtured and where Cesar Chavez, Coretta King, Jesse Jackson have spoken. The Catholic Worker movement's two houses of hospitality, rooted in the neighborhood and run by some great folks (when they're not in jail for civil disobedience). Where Occupy Hartford camped and where welfare moms set up their tent city. Websites like Real Hartford that keep us up to date on what's really happening in our city.

Some of the coolest and weirdest outdoor art and memorials, all with their own stories: Calder's Stegosaurus, Andre's Stone Field Sculpture, the Roberto Clemente monument, the manhole covers made from melted-down guns collected by the police, graffiti all over the skateboarders' "Heaven." Murals, both commissioned and unauthorized. Crazy knitting on telephone poles.

Anyway, you get the idea. Read Less
Show All Reviews
Hartford was my home from 1975 till 2016 0.5 rating By pezmusic ( Oct 14, 2016) Hartford Ct is 18 sq miles of urban decay. Once great city is now drug infested and crime ridden. The city government is single party rule and elected a mayor that had a history of being a gang banger. Surprise he left office over corruption. It has high taxes and still poorly ma ...Read More intained. Education rating of a "B" is laughable. No one with a choose would send their kids to Hartford public school system. People using suburbans address of relatives to send their kids schools in Bloomfield, Windsor, Wethersfield or West Hartford is common. The Hartford schools lost accreditation in 1997. Its just plain grimmy trash everywhere. I do not recommend anyone move there. I left for Nashville TN and its better city then Hartford has been in my lifetime. I will say Trinity College despite the area is one of best liberal arts colleges in country. The Wadsworth, and Mark Twain House are worth seeing. Read Less
Defend Hartford 5 rating By Steve Thornton ( Dec 02, 2013) Hartford is the 2nd worst city in the country? So says "Areavibe," a website that supposedly measures how livable a city is. [ http://www.areavibes.com/library/top-10-worst-cities-to-live-2013/ ]

First of all, lets look at the photo accompanying the review. That ugly old buil
...Read More ding was torn down three years ago. And if you read the critique, it has the same kind of cliches used by people who have only passed through our city. Seriously, very little effort put into this piece.

Many reviewers focus on downtown. Bad idea. The real city has always been the people, an amazing mix of culture and cultures.

Festivals and parades all summer long, jazz every Monday night in Bushnell Park. Great art, music, and movies at Real Art Ways. Astonishing food at El Mercado on Park Street (and that's where you can buy your Rosca del Reyes before Three Kings Day). I count six authentic bakeries (West Indian, Portugese, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Italian, Vietnamese) but I'm sure there are more. Pretty cool farmers' markets that are more like weekly parties. Don't get me started on food.

More park space than seems possible in a small city. Cricket played in at least two of the parks, golf and baseball, dragon boat racing and fishing in others. I could point out where Jack Kerouac, Emma Goldman, Eugene Debs and Dr. King walked when they visited, where 3,000 healthcare workers marched and 10,000 suffragists paraded.

Three professional theaters within walking distance of each other. Free Shakespeare on Mark Twain's lawn. The HartBeat Ensemble's new home, where professionals and local folks tell the city's stories. Charter Oak Cultural Center.

In terms of civic activity (not a valued an indicator of a city's attraction, apparently), you could go to Rawson School in the Blue Hills neighborhood on Election Day and see lines around the block, crowds of people (and pols) who honor Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner every time they vote. Very old churches where social action campaigns are nurtured and where Cesar Chavez, Coretta King, Jesse Jackson have spoken. The Catholic Worker movement's two houses of hospitality, rooted in the neighborhood and run by some great folks (when they're not in jail for civil disobedience). Where Occupy Hartford camped and where welfare moms set up their tent city. Websites like Real Hartford that keep us up to date on what's really happening in our city.

Some of the coolest and weirdest outdoor art and memorials, all with their own stories: Calder's Stegosaurus, Andre's Stone Field Sculpture, the Roberto Clemente monument, the manhole covers made from melted-down guns collected by the police, graffiti all over the skateboarders' "Heaven." Murals, both commissioned and unauthorized. Crazy knitting on telephone poles.

Anyway, you get the idea. Read Less
If You Happen To Be in Hartford, CT 3 rating By Anonymous ( May 20, 2010) I grew up just outside of Hartford, CT. The downtown area provides nine to five employment for numerous commuters from the surrounding areas during the work week. On weekends, some of that same crowd returns for a colorful nightlife. Hartford lacks residents in the downtown area ...Read More who both live and work in the city. Hartford is very much a commuter city. This means the streets can be empty on Sundays, and restaurants and clubs often struggle to thrive outside of the work day and Saturday night crowds. I would have liked the nightlife better, but sometimes you would go out on a Saturday night and very few people would be out. This situation has improved somewhat, as more people are moving into new apartments in the downtown area and downtown Hartford has a safer reputation than even five to ten years ago.

During the day, Elizabeth Park has recreation areas and a notable garden. Hartford has a number of restaurants ranging from fine dining to fun, neighborhood eateries. You can always find something to your liking, provided you venture into downtown Hartford when most establishments are open, such as a Friday evening. Read Less

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Hartford Awards

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      Hartford, CT

      Hartford can trace its roots back to the earliest colonial days when a small group on Puritans decided to establish a settlement on the Connecticut River. Today, Hartford is home to over 120,000 inhabitants who enjoy a high quality of life with ample shopping opportunities, dining experiences, and a good selection of entertainment options. While the city lost its lone pro sports franchise when the Hartford Whalers left town for North Carolina, high school sports play a large role in the city's sports scene.

      In comparison to other large cities on the East Coast, Hartford has low housing costs that allow homeowners or renters a chance to live in a nicer and larger home than in other locations. Getting around Hartford is not too much of a problem for those who drive their own car. While there is traffic in this Connecticut city, it is nowhere near as bad as it is in New York City or Boston. If you plan around rush hour traffic, you should not have any problem getting to where you need to go. CT Transit also offers a network of busses and trains that will transport you from point a to point b. The system is fairly reliable and it is easy to navigate the maps via the transportation provider's app.

      Aerospace manufacturing is one of the areas most important economic sectors, and these employers offer jobs that do not always require higher education. Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky, and General Dynamics are a few of the city's top providers of employment. In addition to these manufacturing and engineering jobs, the healthcare sector also provides a lot of job opportunities.

      Barry Square, Asylum Hill, Nook Farm, and South Green are some of the areas that are popular with those looking to buy or rent their first home in Connecticut since they offer residents the amenities that are necessary for a comfortable life. The Mark Twain House and Museum was the birthplace of this famous American author that provides a fascinating glimpse into the life of this man and his works. The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum is a historic building that has a large collection of diverse art works. The Connecticut Science Center is a hit with kids who can play with the hands-on exhibits that are at the sight.

      Max Downtown and Salute are a couple of the restaurants in Hartford that are setting the tone for excellence. Hartford has a good selection and variety of restaurants that consistently deliver high-quality dishes. Hartford is a great choice for those looking to buy or rent a home that want access to good shopping, decent schools, and other major cities along the East Coast.

      A+ Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Hartford? Yes, there are lots of amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Bushnell Park
      Connecticut State Capitol Park
      Minuteman Park
      Gaullaudet Square
      Asylum Avenue Green
      Connecticut Square
      Unknown Name
      Columbus Green

      Entertainment

      Unknown Name
      Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch
      TheaterWorks
      Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts
      Hartford Stage
      Old State House
      Wadsworth Atheneum
      Unknown Name

      Food & Drink

      Pig's Eye Pub
      Black Bear Saloon
      Dunkin'
      Rocking Horse Saloon
      7 Sins Lounge and Bar
      The Russian Lady
      Dunkin' Donuts
      Subway

      C- Commute

      Is public transit available in Hartford? Of all people who commute, 13.7% take public transportation in Hartford.
      Drive to Work
      62%

      15% lower than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      14%

      9% higher than the US average

      Walk to Work
      6%

      4% higher than the US average

      A+ Health & Safety

      Is Hartford a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are many hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center - Mount Sinai Campus
      Hartford Hospital
      Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center
      Connecticut Children's Medical Center

      Pharmacies

      CVS Pharmacy
      Kure Rx
      Health Care Pharmacy

      Doctors