East Hartford, CT vs Manchester, CT

East Hartford, CT and Manchester, CT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.8% difference in their overall index. East Hartford scores 89 while Manchester scores 93 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in East Hartford is $1,184/month compared to $1,357/month in Manchester — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while East Hartford has cheaper rent, Manchester actually has lower median home values ($205,800 vs $215,400).

Median household income in East Hartford is $66,943 compared to $76,780 in Manchester (-12.8%). While Manchester is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of East Hartford spend roughly 21.2% of their income on rent, less than the 21.2% in Manchester.