Hartford CT

In Hartford, the rent-to-income burden runs around 33% — a stretch by national standards. Median income sits at $46,411 and median rent is $1,269/month. A staggering 55% of renters here are housing-cost-burdened — spending 30% or more of their income just to keep a roof overhead. Median home value: $228,600 — that's 4.9× the median income. Only 26% of households own their home — this is overwhelmingly a renter city, which helps explain the landlord leverage problem. Only 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree. The economy runs on trades, logistics, and service work — and the wages reflect that. Employment picture: 10.74% unemployment — a softer job market. Poverty rate: 26.3% — well above the national average. The headline economic numbers hide a bifurcated city. Average commute: 23 minutes — acceptable. The city covers 18.1 sq miles at 6,707 people/sq mile — moderately dense. Elevation: 59 ft — essentially flat — floods are a real conversation. Hartford has 14 sister cities — cosmopolitan on paper, at least. RoastMyCity overall score: 49/100 — Needs Work.