Median rent is 15% lower in East Hartford ($1,225/mo vs $1,440/mo). Buying is cheaper in East Hartford, where the median home runs $229,700 versus $334,100. Households earn more in Chicago ($77,902 vs $70,778 a year). Taken together, East Hartford is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 92.9 against 102.5 — about 9% lower overall prices.
Cost of living verdict
East Hartford is 9% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 92.9 in East Hartford vs 102.5 in Chicago (US national average = 100)
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
East Hartford, CT
How much would you need to earn in East Hartford, CT to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
Equivalent salary in East Hartford, CT
$67,977
You could earn $7,023 less (9% 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
Chicago
Illinois
East 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
Median rent is modestly lower in East Hartford at $1,225/mo compared to $1,440/mo in Chicago (15% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $334,100 versus $229,700 in East Hartford — 31% more expensive.
Metric
Chicago
East 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.
Chicago
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
East Hartford
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 31.0) but not yet for East Hartford.
Pick East Hartford if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 92.9 vs 102.5).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($77,902/yr).
Pick East Hartford if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,225/mo median).
East Hartford is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 92.9 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 9% lower in East Hartford.
Median rent is $1,440/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,225/mo in East Hartford, CT. East Hartford, CT has the lower rent by about 15%.
Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago, IL and $70,778 in East Hartford, CT. Chicago, IL 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 Chicago, IL is equivalent to roughly $90,636 in East 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
