Hartford, Connecticut
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Hartford.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Hartford?
Hartford, CT has a MapsToIt housing cost index of 81 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog; 100 = U.S. avg). Median home value is about $217,200 and median rent about $1,221, against national ACS medians of $303,400 and $1,348. Median household income is roughly $45,300. Typical commute is 24 minutes; summer highs average 82°F. Violent-offense rates run about 858.1 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 81U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $217,200U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,221U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $45,300U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 5.0%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 24 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 858.1per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 82°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Hartford compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 122,129City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $45,300Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year42% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 81ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year19% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $217,200City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year28% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,221City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year9% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 5.0%County LAUS · not city-only
Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 24 minNear U.S. avg (25 min)U.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 6442% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 858.1annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)46% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 2800.9annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)9% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 82°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals5.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 23°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals11.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 42.8 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals30% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 237As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals12% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Hartford declined 2.6% from 125,354 in 2010 to 122,129 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Hartford expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Hartford runs 19 points lower on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 81 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $217,200 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,221 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Hartford?
Budget first around $1,221/month rent or $217,200 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $217,200
- Median rent $1,221/month
- Median household income $45,300
What is the job market like in Hartford?
Labor-market context for Hartford: unemployment 5.0% and median income $45,300. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 5.0% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $45,300
How long is the typical commute in Hartford?
Plan on roughly 24 minutes each way in Hartford. Walk Score estimates around 64 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 24 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 64/100
Is Hartford safer than similar U.S. cities?
Hartford's FBI-derived violent rate (~858.1/100k) sits at or above the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 858.1 per 100k
- Property 2800.9 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Hartford?
Hartford's climate profile: 82°F summer peaks, 23°F winter mornings, 42.8" annual rainfall, and 237 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 82°F
- Winter low 23°F
- 42.8 in rain · 237 sunny days
About 122,129 people live in Hartford, CT. Median household income is roughly $45,300, while the ACS housing-cost index sits near 81 — among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs (100 ≈ U.S. average). Entry home prices around $217,200 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Hartford is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Hartford with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Coastal New England seasons and Northeast corridor job links frame the market. The normals show about 42.8 inches of rain and 237 sunny days across a typical year. Plan on roughly 24 minutes each way for a typical commute; Walk Score is about 64. Unemployment recently ran near 5.0%, broadly in line with many large U.S. counties. FBI CDE violent-offense rates run comparatively high (~858.1 per 100k annualized), so block-by-block due diligence is especially important.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Hartford city, 1600000US0937000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics (curated seed)
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00014752 HARTFORD BRAINARD FLD) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10
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