Performance
Score Breakdown
Middletown
East Hartford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
East Hartford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
3% higher compared to Middletown.
| Metric | Middletown | East Hartford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,725 | $1,583 | +9% |
| Groceries | $450 | $350 | +29% |
| Utilities | $212 | $250 | -15% |
| Transport | $120 | $300 | -60% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $200 | +25% |
| Monthly Total | $2,757 | $2,683 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Middletown offers 124% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Middletown delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Middletown is estimated at
$65,000 vs $29,796 in East Hartford.
| Metric | Middletown | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $80,000 | $35,770 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $29,796 |
| Purchasing Power | 84,211 idx | 37,653 idx |
| Household Income | $79,438 | $70,778 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Middletown | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 66.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Middletown scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, East Hartford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Middletown | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 26.0/10 |
| Walkability | 28.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
East Hartford is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Middletown.
From a growth perspective, Middletown is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Middletown has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Middletown | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,958 | 50,693 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.70% | % |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 38.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.70% | 4.90% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Middletown
Advantages
Middletown boasts a significantly lower violent crime rate (62.1 per 100,000 residents in 2024) compared to the national average, making it safer than 71% of cities.
The city's median household income of $79,438 in 2024 is robust, providing a solid economic foundation for residents.
Middletown offers a vibrant downtown with diverse dining, shopping, and cultural attractions, largely influenced by Wesleyan University.
Access to quality healthcare is excellent, with Middlesex Health being a highly-rated hospital serving the community.
The average commute time of 23.3 minutes is shorter than the national average, contributing to a better work-life balance.
Drawbacks
Property crime rates in Middletown are estimated to be 43% higher than the national average, with larceny/theft being a particular concern.
Middletown is largely car-dependent, with an average Walk Score of 28, meaning most errands require a vehicle.
The median home sale price increased by 13.1% year-over-year to $365,000 in June 2026, indicating a competitive and appreciating housing market.
While public transit exists, its coverage and frequency may not be sufficient for all residents, leading to reliance on personal cars.
The city's population growth rate of 0.7% in 2024, while positive, is modest compared to some faster-growing areas.
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.
Middletown
#21Connecticut, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,725
Avg Salary
$80,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
28.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
4.70%
Livability
74
Business
68
East Hartford
#21Connecticut, USA
72.0 / 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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