Hartford vs Rochester: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Hartford, CT and Rochester, MN, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Rochester, MN |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,057 | 120,848 |
| Median household income | $41,841 | $83,973 |
| Median home value | $198,900 | $268,800 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,154 | $1,218 |
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 Hartford, CT and Rochester, MN comes down to what you value most. Hartford has the lower median home value, and Hartford has the lower median rent.
Rochester 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 Hartford or Rochester?
- By median home value, Hartford is the cheaper of the two ($198,900 vs $268,800). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Hartford or Rochester?
- Median household income is $41,841 in Hartford versus $83,973 in Rochester, per the US Census Bureau.