City Comparison

Evansville vs Hartford

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Evansville

Indiana
80
Very Affordable
$170,000
Median Home
$850/mo
Median Rent
$48,600
Median Income

Hartford

Connecticut
112
Above Average
$215,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$40,068
Median Income

The Verdict

28.6%

Living in Evansville costs 28.6% less than Hartford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Evansville, you would need $105,000 in Hartford.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
55
Evansville
121
Hartford
Groceries
95
Evansville
106
Hartford
Utilities
105
Evansville
124
Hartford
Transportation
98
Evansville
102
Hartford
Healthcare
105
Evansville
114
Hartford

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Evansville has the same purchasing power as $105,000 in Hartford.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hartford equals $53,571 in Evansville.

Living in Evansville vs Hartford

Housing Costs

Evansville's housing index of 55 is lower Hartford's 121, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $215,000. The $45,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,928 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $850/mo in Evansville compared to $1,200/mo in Hartford, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Evansville and 106 in Hartford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Evansville vs $504/month in Hartford. Evansville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $636/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 105 in Evansville and 124 in Hartford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $420 in Evansville vs $496 in Hartford. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 105 in Evansville and 114 in Hartford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $48,600 in Evansville and $40,068 in Hartford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,750 and $35,775 respectively. Evansville residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,134/month to housing in Evansville vs $935/month in Hartford. In Evansville, median rent of $850/mo fits within this budget. In Hartford, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 66 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Evansville is 28.6% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Evansville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $105,000 in Hartford, based on the cost of living difference.
Evansville's housing index is 55 with median homes at $170,000, while Hartford's is 121 with median homes at $215,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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