City Comparison
Norwalk 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
Norwalk
East Hartford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
East Hartford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Norwalk.
Housing costs are a major driver: Norwalk's average rent is
48% higher than East Hartford's.
| Metric | Norwalk | East Hartford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,350 | $1,583 | +48% |
| Groceries | $520 | $350 | +49% |
| Utilities | $210 | $250 | -16% |
| Transport | $140 | $300 | -53% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $200 | +40% |
| Monthly Total | $3,500 | $2,683 | +30% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Norwalk offers 135% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Norwalk delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Norwalk is estimated at
$72,000 vs $29,796 in East Hartford.
| Metric | Norwalk | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $84,000 | $35,770 |
| Salary Needed | $72,000 | $29,796 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,625 idx | 37,653 idx |
| Household Income | $98,500 | $70,778 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Norwalk runs warmer on average — a 53.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Norwalk comes out ahead with 250 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Norwalk sees 19.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Norwalk | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 24.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
East Hartford has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Norwalk.
Norwalk scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Norwalk leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Norwalk | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 26.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Norwalk is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of East Hartford.
From a growth perspective, Norwalk is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Norwalk has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Norwalk | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,184 | 50,693 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 38.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 4.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Norwalk
Advantages
Direct Metro-North commuter rail access to Grand Central Terminal in New York City
Thriving coastal lifestyle with extensive boating, marina, and beach access along Long Island Sound
Vibrant downtown SoNo district featuring diverse dining, arts, and the Maritime Aquarium
Robust local economy anchored by healthcare, professional services, and corporate headquarters
High educational attainment and strong public community engagement initiatives
Drawbacks
Cost of living and housing expenses significantly exceed the national average
Heavy commuter traffic congestion along the Interstate 95 and Route 7 corridors
Competitive real estate market with high median home purchase prices
High local property and state tax burdens typical of Fairfield County
Moderate car dependency in outer residential neighborhoods outside the urban core
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.
Norwalk
#495Connecticut, USA
53.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,350
Avg Salary
$84,000
Cost Index
128
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
53.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
78
Business
72
East Hartford
#18Connecticut, USA
73.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,583
Avg Salary
$35,770
Cost Index
95
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
26.0/100
Walkability
33.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
73
Business
68
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