City Comparison
Milford 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
Milford
East Hartford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
East Hartford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
25% lower than in Milford.
Housing costs are a major driver: Milford's average rent is
64% higher than East Hartford's.
| Metric | Milford | East Hartford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,600 | $1,583 | +64% |
| Groceries | $450 | $350 | +29% |
| Utilities | $180 | $250 | -28% |
| Transport | $120 | $300 | -60% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $200 | +25% |
| Monthly Total | $3,600 | $2,683 | +34% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Milford offers 101% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Milford delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Milford is estimated at
$65,000 vs $29,796 in East Hartford.
| Metric | Milford | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $35,770 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $29,796 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,016 idx | 37,653 idx |
| Household Income | $110,669 | $70,778 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Milford runs warmer on average — a 52.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Milford comes out ahead with 245 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Milford sees 22.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Milford | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 23.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 245 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
East Hartford has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Milford.
Milford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Milford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Milford | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 26.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Milford is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Milford is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Milford has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Milford | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 52,684 | 50,693 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.30% | — |
| Median Age | 46.6 | 38.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Milford
Advantages
Milford features 17 miles of scenic coastline, including the popular Silver Sands State Park and multiple public beaches per city records.
The median household income in Milford stands at a robust $110,669 per the U.S. Census Bureau ACS data.
Crime rates in Milford remain significantly below the national average, making it one of New Haven County's safer communities.
The Metro-North commuter rail station provides direct, seamless access to New Haven, Stamford, and New York City.
Over 88% of local adults surveyed by DataHaven report that their neighborhood is an exceptional place to raise children.
Drawbacks
Average monthly rent of $2,600 is significantly higher than the national average, straining affordability for mid-income renters.
High property demand and limited housing inventory make purchasing a single-family home highly competitive and expensive.
Interstate 95 through the coastal corridor experiences heavy rush-hour congestion and bottlenecks.
The median age of 46.6 years indicates a relatively older demographic base, with fewer young working-age singles.
Property taxes in Connecticut can create a heavy financial burden for long-term homeowners.
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.
Milford
#380Connecticut, USA
59.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,600
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
52.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
82
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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