Hartford vs Chicago

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 · Illinois salaries

Living in Hartford vs Chicago

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Hartford has a housing index of 121 while Chicago sits at 112 (national average = 100). The median home in Hartford costs $215,000 compared to $310,000 in Chicago, a difference of $95,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in Hartford versus $1,700 in Chicago.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Hartford scores 106 while Chicago scores 104.

Healthcare costs in Hartford (114) are higher than Chicago (101).

Median household income in Hartford is $40,068 compared to $62,097 in Chicago. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Chicago.

Relocating: Hartford vs Chicago

If you are considering a move between Hartford (index: 112) and Chicago (index: 107), the 4% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Chicago 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 Chicago can afford $1,449/month. With median homes at $215,000 in Hartford versus $310,000 in Chicago, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,200/month in Hartford and $1,700/month in Chicago, renters save significantly in Chicago. 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 Chicago (107)

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

Hartford and Chicago 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 Chicago scores 100. That 24-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Chicago with indices of 112 versus 121. Median home prices of $215,000 in Hartford and $310,000 in Chicago underscore this gap. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Hartford has an edge in transportation, while Chicago is more affordable for housing and groceries. 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 Chicago, 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 $95,000 difference in median home prices between Hartford and Chicago translates to roughly $5,700 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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