salaryHartford is the 4th-largest city in Connecticut that we track, with 121,127 residents. Rent is lower than in 56% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.6 years of household income. Most households rent (74%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $61,280 a year. That is $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Connecticut cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Connecticut. It is number 11 of 64 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Hartford?
Share of households by yearly income. 13.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Hartford
| Size | Hartford | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,140 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,212 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,483 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,636 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,810 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Hartford overall?
Everyday prices in the Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford metro area are 3% above the U.S. average (index 102.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Hartford
Life in Hartford
What jobs pay in Hartford
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $157,200 | 11.7% |
| Operations Manager | $148,080 | 12.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $138,680 | 13.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,170 | 13.6% |
| Pharmacist | $134,340 | 13.7% |
| Software Developer | $132,520 | 13.9% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $112,270 | 16.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $103,650 | 17.7% |
| Registered Nurse | $101,470 | 18.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,950 | 18.6% |
| Accountant | $95,940 | 19.2% |
| Police Officer | $82,660 | 22.2% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $79,800 | 23.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $78,220 | 23.5% |
| Electrician | $77,680 | 23.7% |
| Plumber | $77,190 | 23.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $76,180 | 24.1% |
| Firefighter | $75,990 | 24.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $72,800 | 25.3% |
| Carpenter | $64,770 | 28.4% |
| Truck Driver | $59,890 | 30.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,050 | 38.3% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,880 | 39.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $44,340 | 41.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $44,000 | 41.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $39,150 | 47.0% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $37,200 | 49.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,720 | 51.5% |
| Cashier | $35,180 | 52.3% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Hartford?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $54 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $228,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $22,860 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Hartford, CT?
Renting in Hartford costs a median of about $1,532 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Connecticut median is $1,920.
How much do I need to make to live in Hartford?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $61,280 a year, or $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Hartford cheap or expensive?
Hartford is rated Expensive: rent takes 36.7% of the typical household income of $50,054. It ranks 11th cheapest of 64 Connecticut cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Hartford?
The median homeowner in Hartford pays $4,603 a year in property taxes, about 2.01% of the median home value.
Is Hartford more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 3% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Hartford?
The median home value in Hartford is $228,600, about 4.6 times the typical yearly household income.
121,127 people live in Hartford. Numbers are typical (middle) values.