CostIndexUSA

Hartford, CT vs Lancaster, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CT
Hartford
102.7
overall index
$1,875/mo rent
More AffordablePA
Lancaster
98.3
overall index
$1,500/mo rent

Lancaster is slightly cheaper than Hartford — 4.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Hartford, you would need $76,600 in Lancaster. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing14.9%
Hartford
110.2
Lancaster
93.8
🛒 Groceries+3.5%
Hartford
97.3
Lancaster
100.7
🚗 Transportation4.8%
Hartford
107.8
Lancaster
102.6
🏥 Healthcare4.8%
Hartford
97.5
Lancaster
92.8
Utilities25.9%
Hartford
144.9
Lancaster
107.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Hartford to see what you'd need to earn in Lancaster to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Lancaster, PA
$76,600
$3,400 less needed in Lancaster

Formula: salary × (98.3 ÷ 102.7) = salary × 0.9572. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Hartford, CT

Median Home Price
$377,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,875
Housing Index
110.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.8×

Lancaster, PA

Median Home Price
$372,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
93.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.7×

Hartford has 14.9% lower housing costs compared to Lancaster.

Income & Job Market

Hartford, CT

Median Household Income
$92,200
Per Capita Income
$52,600
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
Population
121,054
Top Industries
FinanceInsuranceHealthcareGovernmentEducation

Lancaster, PA

Median Household Income
$80,100
Per Capita Income
$45,700
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
59,322
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailTourismAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Hartford, CT
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Lancaster, PA
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.