Moving from New Haven, CT to Hartford, CT
About 7,830 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020), and 6,058 go the other way. Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Hartford, CT.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 22.1% of income in New Haven, CT and 22.1% in Hartford, CT.
New Haven, CT Hartford, CT (monthly)
| Monthly | New Haven, CT | Hartford, CT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,288 | $1,288 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $265 | $265 | $0 |
| Connecticut Paid Leave2026 tax law | $29 | $29 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $4,546 | $4,546 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,743 | $1,543 | −$200 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,743 | $1,543 | −$200 |
| Food | $429 | $429 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 97.3 | $429 | $429 | $0 |
| Transportation | $174 | $174 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.34/gal (New England (PADD)) | $174 | $174 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $31 | $31 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6.35% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $31 | $31 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $1,000 | $1,000 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 97.3 | $487 | $487 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 102.7 | $513 | $513 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,170 | $1,370 | +$200 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 17.3% of income in New Haven, CT and 17.3% in Hartford, CT.
New Haven, CT Hartford, CT (monthly)
| Monthly | New Haven, CT | Hartford, CT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,727 | $1,727 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $442 | $442 | $0 |
| Connecticut Paid Leave2026 tax law | $50 | $50 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $8,273 | $8,273 | $0 |
| Housing | $2,091 | $1,933 | −$158 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $2,091 | $1,933 | −$158 |
| Childcare | $2,198 | $1,960 | −$238 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $250/wk, school-age $120/wk (2022 prices, Capitol Planning Region, CT); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08; NDCP still uses Connecticut’s legacy counties, so these are DOL’s prices for Hartford County, CT (legacy county containing Hartford) | $2,198 | $1,960 | −$238 |
| Food | $1,248 | $1,248 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 97.3 | $1,248 | $1,248 | $0 |
| Transportation | $347 | $347 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.34/gal (New England (PADD)) | $347 | $347 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $31 | $31 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6.35% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $31 | $31 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $1,000 | $1,000 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 97.3 | $487 | $487 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 102.7 | $513 | $513 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,357 | $1,754 | +$396 |
New Haven, CT vs Hartford, CT at a glance
| Measure | New Haven, CT | Hartford, CT |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 104.6 | 102.7 |
| Housing price level | 124.3 | 110.2 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,743 | $1,543 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,091 | $1,933 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,602 | $2,303 |
| Median home value | $353,100 | $333,500 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 1.91% | 1.93% |
| Median household income | $88,197 | $95,118 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $350 | $330 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 6.35% | 6.35% |
| Regular gasoline | $4.34 | $4.34 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $206 | $206 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Hartford, CT to keep my New Haven, CT lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in New Haven, CT, about $66,268 in Hartford, CT (−5.3%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $113,535. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Hartford, CT cheaper than New Haven, CT?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Hartford, CT is at 102.7 and New Haven, CT at 104.6 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have +$200 a month in Hartford, CT.
How many people move from New Haven, CT to Hartford, CT?+
About 7,830 people a year (±994), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020); about 6,058 move the other way.
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.