Berkeley vs Hartford: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Berkeley, CA and Hartford, CT, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Hartford, CT |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,385 | 121,057 |
| Median household income | $104,716 | $41,841 |
| Median home value | $1,280,300 | $198,900 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $2,067 | $1,154 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Berkeley, CA and Hartford, CT comes down to what you value most. Hartford has the lower median home value, and Hartford has the lower median rent.
Berkeley has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Berkeley or Hartford?
- By median home value, Hartford is the cheaper of the two ($198,900 vs $1,280,300). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Berkeley or Hartford?
- Median household income is $104,716 in Berkeley versus $41,841 in Hartford, per the US Census Bureau.