Median rent is 27% lower in Hartford ($1,269/mo vs $1,729/mo). Buying is cheaper in Hartford, where the median home runs $228,600 versus $555,300. Households earn more in Austin ($93,658 vs $46,411 a year). Taken together, Hartford is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 92.9 against 98.3 — about 5% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Austin, TX.
Cost of living verdict
Hartford is 5% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 92.9 in Hartford vs 98.3 in Austin (US national average = 100)
City A
Austin, TX
City B
Hartford, CT
How much would you need to earn in Hartford, CT to maintain your standard of living from Austin, TX?
Equivalent salary in Hartford, CT
$70,889
You could earn $4,111 less (5% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Austin
Texas
Hartford
Connecticut
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Hartford — median rent of $1,269/mo versus $1,729/mo in Austin, a 27% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Austin: the median home is $555,300 versus $228,600 in Hartford — 59% more expensive.
Metric
Austin
Hartford
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Austin
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Hartford
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Austin (avg AQI 65.0) but not yet for Hartford.
Pick Hartford if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 92.9 vs 98.3).
Pick Austin if you prioritize higher median household income ($93,658/yr).
Pick Hartford if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,269/mo median).
Hartford is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 92.9 versus 98.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 5% lower in Hartford.
Median rent is $1,729/mo in Austin, TX and $1,269/mo in Hartford, CT. Hartford, CT has the lower rent by about 27%.
Median household income is $93,658 in Austin, TX and $46,411 in Hartford, CT. Austin, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Austin, TX is equivalent to roughly $94,518 in Hartford, CT (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
