Living in Hartford, CT
Hartford is the 249th-largest city in the US, home to about 122,000 people in 2025 and the capital of Connecticut. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (102.7 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 121,981+0.3% since 2020
- Median home value
- $228,6004.9 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,269/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $46,411median, per year
- Price level
- 102.7US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 35° / 85°lows 19° / 63°
- Average commute
- 23 min9% work from home
- State income tax
- 6.99%top rate, graduated
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County: Hartford County
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 59 ft
Metro area: Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT
Cost of living in Hartford
The median home in Hartford is worth $228,600 and the median household earns $46,411 a year, so a typical home costs about 4.9 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,269 a month, about 33% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT metro area at 102.7, with housing at 110.2 and goods at 97.3 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $77,100 here. Connecticut taxes wages at a top rate of 6.99%. The average combined state and local sales tax in Connecticut is 6.35%.
What would my salary be worth in Hartford?
Hartford weather
Average highs run from 35°F in January to 85°F in July, and January nights average 19°F. It gets 47 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 52 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 126 times a year. The most comfortable months are May to September.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Hartford
People and work
The median resident is 33.1 years old, and 19% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 26% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 23 minutes; 9% of workers work from home and 13% take public transit.
- Median age
- 33.188th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 19%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 26%of households
- People per sq mile
- 7,01917.4 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 13%5% walk, 0.5% bike
- Unemployment
- 10.7%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 26.3%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1951median year
Who moves to Hartford, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Kings County, NY, New York (Queens County) and New York County, NY. People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to New York County, NY, Kings County, NY and Raleigh (Wake County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Home prices
+5.8% in a year
Up 58% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
67% good days
11 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index () combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Hartford
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Yale University 35 miles
- Wesleyan University 16 miles
- University of Connecticut 23 miles
- Post University 26 miles
- Quinnipiac University 27 miles
- University of Hartford in Hartford
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Hartford
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Bradley International Airport BDL | 11 mi | 3,285,194 |
| Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport HVN | 37 mi | 589,409 |
| Worcester Regional Airport ORH | 54 mi | 112,872 |
| Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport PVD | 65 mi | 1,984,916 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Hartford
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut State Community College | 2 mi | 33,645 | $9,195 | 25% |
| University of Connecticut | 23 mi | 19,835 | $24,342 | 84% |
| Central Connecticut State University | 7 mi | 7,822 | $15,537 | 50% |
| Springfield Technical Community College | 23 mi | 4,759 | $2,020 | 36% |
| University of Hartford | in town | 4,146 | $28,928 | 57% |
| Westfield State University | 25 mi | 3,615 | $16,484 | 49% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Hartford
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before April 21, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 6 and the first frost comes around October 16.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Hartford Bradley Intl. Airport, CT, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Hartford.
Wildfire smoke in Hartford
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Hartford on about 104 days a year, including about 24 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Hartford
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 49,028 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Hartford
Downtown Hartford is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford School District | Pre-K to 12 | 16,434 | 41 | 14.3 |
Other districts within 10 miles: New Britain School District (10,038 students), West Hartford School District (9,128 students), East Hartford School District (6,504 students), Manchester School District (6,122 students), Glastonbury School District (5,696 students), South Windsor School District (5,125 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Hartford's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Hartford's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Southfield, MI80% matchCompare
- Dearborn, MI80% matchCompare
- Joliet, IL76% matchCompare
- Livonia, MI76% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Ski resorts near Hartford
- Ski Sundown 15 miles
- Mount Southington 18 miles
- Powder Ridge Ski Area 20 miles
- Blandford Ski Area 30 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Hartford
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data 13% of workers take public transit, so living without a car is realistic.
Cons
- Data Winters are snowy: about 52 inches a year.
- Data Poverty is high: 26.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
Hartford report card from locals
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Cities near Hartford
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Britain, CT | 9 mi | 76,286 | $223,600 | 102.7 | Compare |
| Springfield, MA | 24 mi | 154,702 | $245,000 | 96.1 | Compare |
| Waterbury, CT | 24 mi | 115,771 | $208,500 | 99.8 | Compare |
| New Haven, CT | 35 mi | 138,774 | $287,100 | 104.6 | Compare |
| Danbury, CT | 48 mi | 89,033 | $411,200 | 106.9 | Compare |
| Bridgeport, CT | 49 mi | 152,273 | $274,900 | 106.9 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Hartford with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Hartford a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show no standout advantages on cost or climate; the trade-offs are heavy snow. Compare Hartford side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Hartford?
The Census Bureau estimates Hartford had 121,981 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 121,657 in April 2020 (+0.3%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Hartford?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $77,100 in the Hartford area. The median household here earns $46,411.
When is the best time to visit Hartford?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May to September are the most comfortable months. July averages 85°F and January 35°F for daytime highs.
What county is Hartford in?
Hartford is in Hartford County, Connecticut. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Hartford in?
Hartford is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Hartford?
About 59 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Connecticut have a state income tax?
Yes. Connecticut has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 6.99% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Hartford. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Hartford Bradley Intl. Airport, CT station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.