| Index | Hartford | Connecticut | National |
| Cost of living | 106 | 118 | 100 |
| Groceries | 104 | 106 | 100 |
| Health care | 113 | 111 | 100 |
| Housing | 96 | 139 | 100 |
| Transportation | 110 | 107 | 100 |
| Utilities | 111 | 108 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 114 | 110 | 100 |
| Household Items | 109 | 106 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 112 | 116 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Hartford is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Hartford is 106, which is 6% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
The cost of living in Hartford is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, household expenses and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 17 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Hartford. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 41% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 59% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is Hartford an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Hartford, the median home price is 7.2% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 3.5% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Hartford come in at $52,943, which is 34.9% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.
Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Hartford, the housing index is 4% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.
The Hartford cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $106,586 | $8,882 | $2,487 | $3,198 |
| Renters | $43,515 | $3,626 | $1,015 | $1,306 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Connecticut | 6.35% | 6.35% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Connecticut | 3% | 6.99% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Blue Hills, CT | 2,652 | 104 | 3.6% |
| Rockville, CT | 7,323 | 103 | 3.1% |
| New Britain, CT | 74,963 | 104 | 4.4% |
| East Hartford, CT | 51,352 | 105 | 5.2% |
| Manchester, CT | 37,216 | 105 | 5.5% |
| Hartford, CT | 125,397 | 106 | 5.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Columbia, MO | 125,431 | 100 | 0.1% |
| Odessa, TX | 125,590 | 98 | 1.7% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | 125,691 | 120 | 20.2% |
| Wilmington, NC | 125,049 | 109 | 9.2% |
| Saanich, BC | 125,800 | n/a | |
| Hartford, CT | 125,397 | 106 | 5.6% |
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