Hartford 77 Exceptional
Hartford Livability #17 ranked city in South Dakota#2,847 ranked city in the USARanks better than 90% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
  • Uncover the key details before you move
  • Use local data to guide a smarter investment
  • Compare neighborhoods side by side
Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Hartford

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.

  • Crime Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • Employment Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

What's it like Living in Hartford?

Hartford, South Dakota is a small-sized city with a population of 3,408 residents. At 90%, the majority of the Hartford population is White; this is followed by 0% Black and 0% Asian. Hartford has a high percentage of people who are married with children when compared to the rest of the country. In total, more than 71% of the population is classified as married and 50% have kids. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Hartford is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 21 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in Hartford can be a positive experience for anyone relocating to the area. Having said that, in the state of South Dakota, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. The best areas in Hartford and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, cost of living, commute, health & safety, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the South Dakota and national averages.

The livability score in Hartford is 76 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 89th percentile of all cities across America. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Hartford could be a great choice! If we take a closer look at each of the categories individually, we see that Hartford ranks well for crime (A+), cost of living (A+), employment (A+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Hartford. The following was graded with a disappointing score: amenities (F).

When contemplating a move, job prospects often top the list of priorities. In Hartford, the outlook for new employment is notably brighter than in many other areas. The low unemployment rate of 1.9% points to a surge in job opportunities, the potential for higher wages, enhanced workforce productivity and increased economic growth. These favorable conditions bode well for individuals seeking career advancement and financial stability, making this area an appealing destination for those prioritizing professional opportunities and economic prosperity.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Hartford excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Hartford is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Hartford come in at $301,253, which is 15.6% higher than the South Dakota average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Hartford, the home price to income ratio is 2.5, which is 24.2% lower than the South Dakota average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Hartford

See all the best places to live around Hartford

How Do You Rate The Livability In Hartford?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Hartford, SD Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      Compare Neighborhoods & Addresses Local Insights Report

      Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.

      Local Insights Report

      Hartford transportation information

      Statistic Hartford South Dakota National
      Average one way commute21min17min26min
      Workers who drive to work91.6%79.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool3.9%9.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%0.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.1%3.8%2.8%
      Working from home2.4%5.5%4.6%
      Source: The Hartford, SD data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.