City Comparison
Stratford 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
Stratford
East Hartford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
East Hartford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Stratford.
Housing costs are a major driver: Stratford's average rent is
23% higher than East Hartford's.
| Metric | Stratford | East Hartford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,583 | +23% |
| Groceries | $460 | $350 | +31% |
| Utilities | $190 | $250 | -24% |
| Transport | $130 | $300 | -57% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $200 | +30% |
| Monthly Total | $2,990 | $2,683 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Stratford offers 118% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Stratford delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Stratford is estimated at
$65,000 vs $29,796 in East Hartford.
| Metric | Stratford | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $35,770 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $29,796 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,102 idx | 37,653 idx |
| Household Income | $88,500 | $70,778 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Stratford runs warmer on average — a 52.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Stratford comes out ahead with 245 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Stratford sees 22.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Stratford | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 24.20°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
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Stratford.
Stratford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Stratford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Stratford | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 26.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Stratford is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Stratford is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Stratford has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Stratford | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 52,305 | 50,693 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 38.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Stratford
Advantages
Direct access to Long Island Sound with scenic waterfront parks like Short Beach and Long Beach.
Convenient commuter access via the Stratford Metro-North train station along the New Haven Line.
Strong local employment anchored by major aerospace and manufacturing employers like Sikorsky Aircraft.
Rich colonial history and distinct neighborhood character, including the scenic Lordship peninsula.
More attainable housing options compared to immediate neighboring towns in western Fairfield County.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and property taxes remain notably higher than the national U.S. average.
High degree of car dependency for daily errands outside of immediate downtown and transit areas.
Vulnerability to coastal weather events and occasional flooding along low-lying shoreline areas.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major corridors like I-95 and Route 1.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options directly within town borders compared to larger cities.
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.
Stratford
#462Connecticut, USA
55.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
52.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
77
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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