CostIndexUSA

Hartford, CT vs Pasadena, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCT
Hartford
102.7
overall index
$1,875/mo rent
CA
Pasadena
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Hartford is moderately cheaper than Pasadena — 10.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Hartford, you would need $88,500 in Pasadena. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+54.6%
Hartford
110.2
Pasadena
170.4
🛒 Groceries+9.6%
Hartford
97.3
Pasadena
106.6
🚗 Transportation+1.7%
Hartford
107.8
Pasadena
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+1.6%
Hartford
97.5
Pasadena
99.1
Utilities+9.5%
Hartford
144.9
Pasadena
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Pasadena, CA
$88,500
$8,500 more needed in Pasadena

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 102.7) = salary × 1.1061. 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×

Pasadena, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Pasadena has 54.6% higher housing costs compared to Hartford.

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

Pasadena, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
141,029
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationHealthcareEntertainmentFinance

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)

Pasadena, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.