City Comparison
Manchester vs East Hartford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
East Hartford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Manchester
East Hartford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Manchester is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in East Hartford.
| Metric | Manchester | East Hartford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $1,583 | -2% |
| Groceries | $420 | $350 | +20% |
| Utilities | $175 | $250 | -30% |
| Transport | $115 | $300 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $200 | +20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,500 | $2,683 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Manchester offers 98% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Manchester delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Manchester is estimated at
$58,000 vs $29,796 in East Hartford.
| Metric | Manchester | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $35,770 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $29,796 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,608 idx | 37,653 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $70,778 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Manchester runs warmer on average — a 50.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Manchester comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Manchester sees 23 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Manchester | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
East Hartford has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Manchester.
Manchester scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Manchester leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Manchester | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 26.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Manchester is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of East Hartford.
From a growth perspective, Manchester is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Manchester has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Manchester | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,498 | 50,693 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 38.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Manchester
Advantages
Median home prices and average rents are more affordable compared to neighboring Hartford suburbs like Glastonbury and West Hartford per Zillow 2024 data.
Abundant outdoor recreation options, including the popular Case Mountain hiking and conservation area.
Strong commuter accessibility via direct access to Interstate 84 and Interstate 384.
Rich historical identity anchored by the Cheney Brothers Silk Historic District.
Major commercial and retail hub status featuring the Buckland Hills shopping district.
Drawbacks
Property tax rates in Hartford County can be relatively high for homeowners.
Certain major commuter corridors experience heavy traffic congestion during peak morning and evening rush hours.
Public transit options outside of primary bus lines are somewhat limited, maintaining a reliance on personal vehicles.
Winters bring substantial snowfall and freezing temperatures common to the New England region.
Older housing stock in historic districts may require frequent maintenance and energy-efficiency updates.
East Hartford
Advantages
The median household income in East Hartford grew by 5.73% from 2023 to 2024, reaching $70,778.
East Hartford's violent crime rate is 89% below the national average, contributing to a high safety score.
The cost of living in East Hartford is 11% lower than the Connecticut average, making it more affordable.
The average commute time of 22.4 minutes is shorter than the national average.
Employment in East Hartford grew at a rate of 2.21% from 2023 to 2024.
Drawbacks
East Hartford's population is projected to decline by -0.07% annually in 2026.
The town's Walk Score of 33 indicates it is car-dependent, with most errands requiring a car.
Educational attainment levels are lower than Hartford County, with 18% of residents having a four-year college degree or higher, compared to 40% in the County.
The Transit Score of 26 suggests limited public transportation options for car-free living.
East Hartford's crime rates are 17% higher than the Connecticut average, despite being lower than the national average for violent crime.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Manchester
#387Connecticut, USA
58.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
75
Business
70
East Hartford
#18Connecticut, USA
73.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,583
Avg Salary
$35,770
Cost Index
95
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
26.0/100
Walkability
33.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
73
Business
68
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