Cost of living in Hartford: rent, homes and salary
Cost of living in Hartford stands 2.7% above the US average. For the Hartford, CT metro area, the BEA RPP was 102.7 in 2024, with the US at 100, while housing was 110.2.
- Prices overall
- 102.7US = 100, BEA 2024
- Price level for housing
- 110.2 for rents, US = 100.
Living cost index for Hartford
A regional price parity compares one place's costs for a set basket of goods and services with the US average, which is set at 100. Hartford belongs to a metropolitan area covering Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT, and BEA prices that entire area together. Utilities differ most from the US average, reaching 144.9, or 44.9% above the US.
| Price level, US = 100 | Hartford, CT metro | Connecticut | Metro against the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 102.7 | 103.6 | +2.7% |
| Goods | 97.3 | 97.3 | −2.7% |
| Housing (rents) | 110.2 | 117.0 | +10.2% |
| Utilities | 144.9 | 146.5 | +44.9% |
| Other services | 102.7 | 102.7 | +2.7% |
By metro area and state, the 2024 regional price parities come from the Bureau of Economic Analysis in the U.S. BEA data
Hartford rent costs
In Hartford, the typical asking rent is $1,555 a month, based on the Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). It measures rent for homes listed now and is +2.7% over a year. The US figure is $1,932. Census median gross rent is $1,283 and includes every household that rents, not just those with new leases. Asking rent for one year equals 37% of median household income.
| Rent | Hartford | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Typical asking rent, Zillow ZORI | $1,555 | $1,932 |
| Asking rent, 12-month change | +2.7% | |
| Median gross rent, Census ACS 2024 | $1,283 | $1,487 |
| Asking rent for one year as a median-income share | 37% | 28% |
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index. One-year estimates come from Census Bureau American Community Survey 2024.
Hartford home prices
In September 2026, the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) valued a typical Hartford home at $202,489. It measures the value of a home in the middle of the market. This was +1.2% over a year, compared with $366,157 for the US. The price equals 4.0 years of median household income, compared with 4.5 years for the US.
| Home prices | Hartford | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value, September 2026 | $202,489 | $366,157 |
| 12-month change | +1.2% | +1.2% |
| 10-year change | +85.6% | +77.4% |
| Price to income (years of median income) | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Price to rent (years of asking rent) | 10.9 | 15.8 |
Hartford price chart since 2000, plus a forecast and days on market: Hartford market.
Salary required to live in Hartford
Two questions determine the Hartford salary that buys what your pay buys now: what you earn and where you live.
- Moving from
- Salary
A side-by-side view includes the method and every city in this living cost comparison.
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Hartford cost of living compared with other cities
| City | Prices overall | Housing | Rent, typical | Value of a typical home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford | 102.7 | 110.2 | $1,555 | $202,489 |
| New Haven | 104.6 | 124.3 | $1,972 | $337,417 |
| New York City | 112.6 | 148.6 | $4,089 | $825,854 |
| Los Angeles | 113.6 | 170.4 | $2,772 | $927,891 |
| Chicago | 103.6 | 112.0 | $2,311 | $334,108 |
| Houston | 98.6 | 104.5 | $1,544 | $259,465 |
| Phoenix | 103.3 | 121.2 | $1,571 | $404,067 |
| Philadelphia | 102.6 | 113.1 | $1,757 | $231,584 |
| San Antonio | 94.7 | 94.6 | $1,381 | $244,623 |
BEA regional price parities 2024 provide the price levels, with US = 100. Rent figures come from Zillow ZORI. Home values use Zillow ZHVI, September 2026.
See every city ranked in the cost of living comparison by city. All states: cost of living by state.