Hartford vs Independence: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Hartford, CT and Independence, MO, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Independence, MO |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,057 | 122,218 |
| Median household income | $41,841 | $57,415 |
| Median home value | $198,900 | $150,800 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,154 | $1,020 |
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 Independence, MO comes down to what you value most. Independence has the lower median home value, and Independence has the lower median rent.
Independence 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 Independence?
- By median home value, Independence is the cheaper of the two ($150,800 vs $198,900). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Hartford or Independence?
- Median household income is $41,841 in Hartford versus $57,415 in Independence, per the US Census Bureau.