Hartford vs Austin

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Connecticut salaries · Texas salaries

Living in Hartford vs Austin

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Hartford has a housing index of 121 while Austin sits at 123 (national average = 100). The median home in Hartford costs $215,000 compared to $430,000 in Austin, a difference of $215,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in Hartford versus $1,700 in Austin.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Hartford scores 106 while Austin scores 96.

Healthcare costs in Hartford (114) are higher than Austin (97).

Median household income in Hartford is $40,068 compared to $75,413 in Austin. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Austin.

Relocating: Hartford vs Austin

If you are considering a move between Hartford (index: 112) and Austin (index: 107), the 4% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Austin is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Hartford can afford $935/month, while the median household in Austin can afford $1,760/month. With median homes at $215,000 in Hartford versus $430,000 in Austin, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.

Renting vs buying: At $1,200/month in Hartford and $1,700/month in Austin, renters save significantly in Austin. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes about equally far in both cities. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Hartford (112) vs Austin (107)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Hartford at 112 is 12% above the US average, while Austin at 107 is 7% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

Hartford and Austin land within 5 points of each other on the composite index (112 vs 107), so the overall cost picture is similar. The biggest category divergence is utilities, where Hartford scores 124 and Austin scores 97. That 27-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing costs are comparable between the two metros, with Hartford at 121 and Austin at 123 on the housing sub-index and median home prices of $215,000 and $430,000 respectively. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Hartford has an edge in housing, while Austin is more affordable for groceries and utilities. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.

For renters: With median rents of $1,200/month in Hartford and $1,700/month in Austin, the annual rent difference is approximately $6,000. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $30,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $215,000 difference in median home prices between Hartford and Austin translates to roughly $12,900 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

🔗 Related Tools

📚 Moving & Relocation Resources

Amazon affiliate links