Is Hartford expensive to live in?

Hartford is around the middle of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,042 per month ranks #80 of 158 and is about the same as the $1,043 median.

What is the average rent in Hartford?

Average rent in Hartford, CT runs a studio around $973, a one-bedroom around $1,042, a two-bedroom around $1,296, a three-bedroom around $1,433 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Hartford?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,042 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year. The median household income here is $45,300.

How much does it cost to live in Hartford per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Hartford is about $1,300 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Hartford, CT

Population 119,970 · Connecticut

~$1,300/mo est.1BR $1,042Home $217,200

Compare with:

The cost of living in Hartford, CT is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,042 a month — about the same as the $1,043 median across the 158 large US cities we track. Studios average $973 and two-bedrooms $1,296.

Median household income here is $45,300, 33% lower than the $67,696 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,300 before food and transport. Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $1,042

Studio

$973

1 Bedroom

$1,042

2 Bedroom

$1,296

3 Bedroom

$1,433

Buying a Home$217,200

Median Home Value

$217,200

Income$45,300

Median Household Income

$45,300

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,940

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesNortheast

Milk (gal)

$4.31

Bread (lb)

$1.92

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

Average prices, Northeast (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities24.3¢/kWh

Electricity

24.3¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$23.33/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-06-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.94/gal

Regular Gasoline (East Coast (PADD 1))

$3.94/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-31.

State Taxes (CT)6.35% sales

State Sales Tax

6.35%

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 6.99%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime527.5 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

527.5

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

2,949.2

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Hartford Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 33.4 yrs

Median Age

33.4 yrs

Homeownership

25.7%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

18.3%

Avg Commute

22.8 min

Climate51.2°F

Avg Annual Temperature

51.2°F

Annual Precipitation

43.6 in

Hartford cost of living — FAQ

Is Hartford expensive to live in?: Hartford is around the middle of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,042 per month ranks #80 of 158 and is about the same as the $1,043 median.
What is the average rent in Hartford?: Average rent in Hartford, CT runs a studio around $973, a one-bedroom around $1,042, a two-bedroom around $1,296, a three-bedroom around $1,433 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Hartford?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,042 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year. The median household income here is $45,300.
How much does it cost to live in Hartford per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Hartford is about $1,300 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Hartford with nearby cities

Hartford vs New Haven Hartford vs Bridgeport Hartford vs Worcester Hartford vs Cranston Hartford vs Warwick Hartford vs Providence

Nearby cities

New Haven, CT 34 mi Bridgeport, CT 48 mi Worcester, MA 56 mi Cranston, RI 64 mi Warwick, RI 65 mi Providence, RI 65 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.