City Report · CT

Hartford

Pop. 121,127·49th most expensive in Connecticut·Hartford rents are up 9.3% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,672/mo
Year-over-Year
+9.3%
Month-over-Month
-0.6%
vs US Median
-$293
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Hartford · $1,672
More affordable than 64% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
46/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Hartford's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$1,672/mo
Expected by trend
$1,641/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Hartford's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,035
1 BR
$1,193
2 BR
$1,508
3 BR
$1,818
4 BR+
$2,153
Research median
$1,508/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$20,064/yr
At $1,672/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 9.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+9.3% YoY, -0.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Hartford, CT is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 19.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
121,127
Median income
$46,411
Median age
33.1
Renters
74.3%
Age distribution
22.7%
30.1%
25.1%
12.2%
Under 1822.7%
18–3430.1%
35–5425.1%
55–649.9%
65+12.2%
Gender
47.8%
52.2%
Male47.8%
Female52.2%
Race & ethnicity
24.2%
35.8%
44.5%
White24.2%
Black35.8%
Hispanic44.5%
Asian2.5%
Education (25+)
24.7%
33%
22.9%
19.4%
No HS diploma24.7%
HS diploma33%
Some college22.9%
Bachelor's+19.4%
Housing tenure
25.7%
74.3%
Owner25.7%
Renter74.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Hartford, CT has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,090 → $1,672
up 53.4%
Income
$37,477 → $46,411
up 23.8%
Population
121,562 → 121,127
down 0.4%
Renter share
74.5% → 74.3%
-0.2 pts
Bachelor's+
16.7% → 19.4%
+2.7 pts

Rent in Hartford, CT has increased 53.4% since 2021, going from about $1,090 per month to roughly $1,672 today. Household income in the area moved from $37,477 to $46,411 across the same window, up 23.8% versus 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 29.6 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 16.7% to 19.4%. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Hartford, CT look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Hartford

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View Hartford rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Hartford on your salary?

At $1,672/mo, how Hartford rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Hartford rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Hartford. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Hartford

About renting in Hartford, CT

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Hartford is $1,672/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,035/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,508/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,193/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,818/mo.

At 43% of local median household income ($46,411/yr), Hartford ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Hartford an affordable city for renters?

Hartford is considered stretched for renters. At $1,672/mo, rent takes approximately 43% of the local median household income ($46,411/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Hartford significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Hartford?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $67,000/year (~$32/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,672/mo in Hartford. The local median household income is $46,411/yr, meaning the typical Hartford household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Hartford?

Rent in Hartford has increased 9.3% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Hartford neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Hartford are 06114 ($1,585/mo), 06105 ($1,590/mo), and 06106 ($1,673/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Hartford is $1,672/mo.

How does Hartford rent compare to other cities in Connecticut?

Hartford is one of the more affordable cities in Connecticut for rent, ranking #49 out of 56 tracked cities at $1,672/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Hartford?

East Hartford is nearby and more affordable at $1,539/mo, which is $133 less than Hartford.

What percentage of Hartford residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 74.3% of Hartford households are renters, while 25.7% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Hartford has a strong rental market.

How does Hartford rent compare to the national average?

Hartford's median rent of $1,672/mo is $293 (15%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Connecticut, it ranks #49 out of 56 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
43%
STRETCHED

At $1,672/mo, rent takes ~43% of Hartford's median household income ($46,411/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Hartford 43%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3–6.99%
Run the Hartford affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Hartford, CT

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