City Comparison
New Britain vs East Hartford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
East Hartford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
New Britain
East Hartford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
New Britain is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
0% lower compared to East Hartford.
| Metric | New Britain | East Hartford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,600 | $1,583 | +1% |
| Groceries | $450 | $350 | +29% |
| Utilities | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $300 | -60% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $200 | +25% |
| Monthly Total | $2,670 | $2,683 | -0% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New Britain offers 21% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, New Britain delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in New Britain is estimated at
$60,000 vs $29,796 in East Hartford.
| Metric | New Britain | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $43,281 | $35,770 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $29,796 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,525 idx | 37,653 idx |
| Household Income | $58,613 | $70,778 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
New Britain runs warmer on average — a 51.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, New Britain comes out ahead with 251 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — New Britain sees 23.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | New Britain | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
New Britain scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New Britain leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | New Britain | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 26.0/10 |
| Walkability | 50.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New Britain is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of East Hartford.
From a growth perspective, New Britain is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, East Hartford has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | New Britain | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,969 | 50,693 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | % |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.1 |
| Unemployment | 8.30% | 4.90% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
New Britain
Advantages
The average rent in New Britain is $1,600 per month as of September 2026, which is 16% below the national average.
New Britain experienced a 2.57% employment growth rate from 2023 to 2024.
The average commute time in New Britain is 21.5 minutes (2020-2024), shorter than the national average.
The Hospital of Central Connecticut, serving New Britain, has been recognized with America's 100 Best Hospitals Award.
The median property value in New Britain was $223,600 in 2024, offering more affordable homeownership opportunities compared to the national average.
Drawbacks
New Britain's unemployment rate was 8.3% in July 2026, significantly higher than the national rate.
The poverty rate in New Britain was 18.08% in 2026.
The homeownership rate in New Britain was 45.1% in 2024, which is lower than the national average.
New Britain exhibits a medium to high car dependency, with most residents driving alone to work.
While home care costs are relatively lower, assisted living and nursing home costs in Connecticut are considerably high.
East Hartford
Advantages
The median household income in East Hartford grew by 5.73% from 2023 to 2024, reaching $70,778.
East Hartford's violent crime rate is 89% below the national average, contributing to a high safety score.
The cost of living in East Hartford is 11% lower than the Connecticut average, making it more affordable.
The average commute time of 22.4 minutes is shorter than the national average.
Employment in East Hartford grew at a rate of 2.21% from 2023 to 2024.
Drawbacks
East Hartford's population is projected to decline by -0.07% annually in 2026.
The town's Walk Score of 33 indicates it is car-dependent, with most errands requiring a car.
Educational attainment levels are lower than Hartford County, with 18% of residents having a four-year college degree or higher, compared to 40% in the County.
The Transit Score of 26 suggests limited public transportation options for car-free living.
East Hartford's crime rates are 17% higher than the Connecticut average, despite being lower than the national average for violent crime.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
New Britain
#37Connecticut, USA
64.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,600
Avg Salary
$43,281
Cost Index
84
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
8.30%
Livability
68
Business
65
East Hartford
#8Connecticut, USA
72.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,583
Avg Salary
$35,770
Cost Index
95
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
26.0/10
Walkability
33.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
73
Business
68
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