Side-by-side comparison

Hartford vs Chicago

Cost of living comparison for Hartford, Connecticut and Chicago, Illinois.

Bottom line

Chicago is approximately 6% more expensive than Hartford. A single person needs about $3,707/mo in Chicago versus $3,504/mo in Hartford.

Rent in Hartford vs Chicago

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Hartford · Studio

$956

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Chicago is $502 (53%) higher than Hartford

Hartford · 1 bedroom

$1,129

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Chicago is $431 (38%) higher than Hartford

Hartford · 2 bedroom

$1,447

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Chicago is $314 (22%) higher than Hartford

Hartford · 3 bedroom

$1,555

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Chicago is $707 (45%) higher than Hartford

Income & earnings in Hartford vs Chicago

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Hartford · Household income

$91,541

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Hartford is $9,744 (12%) higher than Chicago

Hartford · Individual earnings

$51,822

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Hartford is $2,524 (5%) higher than Chicago

Hartford · Per capita

$49,924

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Hartford is $2,123 (4%) higher than Chicago

Home values in Hartford vs Chicago

Average values and property tax.

Hartford · Average home value

$298,200

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Chicago is $7,000 (2%) higher than Hartford

Hartford · Annual property tax

$6,390

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Hartford is $337 (6%) higher than Chicago

Energy in Hartford vs Chicago

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Hartford · Monthly electricity

$208

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Hartford is $92 (79%) higher than Chicago

Hartford · Monthly gas

$76

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Hartford is $15 (25%) higher than Chicago

Hartford · Annual total

$3,408

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Hartford is $1,284 (60%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Hartford vs Chicago

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Hartford · Individual premium

$480

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Hartford and Chicago are about the same

Hartford · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Hartford and Chicago are about the same

Hartford · Uninsured rate

4.2%

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Chicago is 4.8% (114%) higher than Hartford

Taxes in Hartford vs Chicago

State income and sales tax.

Hartford · State income tax

7.0%

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Hartford is 2.0% (41%) higher than Chicago

Hartford · State sales tax

6.3%

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Hartford is 0.1% (2%) higher than Chicago

Hartford · Combined sales tax

6.3%

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Chicago is 2.5% (39%) higher than Hartford

Transportation in Hartford vs Chicago

Commute time and travel modes.

Hartford · Average commute

23.5 min

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Chicago is 8.4 min (36%) higher than Hartford

Hartford · Drive alone

72.1%

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Hartford is 15.9% (28%) higher than Chicago

Hartford · Public transit

2.6%

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Chicago is 10.4% (400%) higher than Hartford

Monthly cost estimates in Hartford vs Chicago

All categories combined.

Hartford · Single person

$3,504

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Chicago is $203 (6%) higher than Hartford

Hartford · Couple

$5,288

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Hartford is $123 (2%) higher than Chicago

Hartford · Family

$7,601

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Chicago is $210 (3%) higher than Hartford

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Hartford and Chicago.

Is Hartford or Chicago more expensive?

Chicago is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,504/mo in Hartford, Connecticut and $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois, a difference of about 6%.

What is the rent difference between Hartford and Chicago?

Average one-bedroom rent in Hartford, Connecticut is $1,129/mo versus $1,560/mo in Chicago, Illinois. Chicago is approximately $431 (38%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Hartford or Chicago?

Hartford has the higher average household income. Hartford households earn approximately $91,541 per year; Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year.

More on Hartford and Chicago

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Hartford profile Chicago profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.