Median rent is 12% lower in Hartford ($1,269/mo vs $1,446/mo). Buying is cheaper in Hartford, where the median home runs $228,600 versus $295,300. Households earn more in Middletown ($79,438 vs $46,411 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (92.9).
City A
Hartford, CT
City B
Middletown, CT
How much would you need to earn in Middletown, CT to maintain your standard of living from Hartford, CT?
Equivalent salary in Middletown, CT
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
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
Hartford
Connecticut
Middletown
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 Hartford at $1,269/mo compared to $1,446/mo in Middletown (12% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Middletown: the median home is $295,300 versus $228,600 in Hartford — 23% more expensive.
Metric
Hartford
Middletown
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.
Hartford
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Middletown
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is not yet available for these cities.
Pick Middletown if you prioritize higher median household income ($79,438/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 92.9 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Hartford.
Median rent is $1,269/mo in Hartford, CT and $1,446/mo in Middletown, CT. Hartford, CT has the lower rent by about 12%.
Median household income is $46,411 in Hartford, CT and $79,438 in Middletown, CT. Middletown, CT 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 Hartford, CT is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Middletown, 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
