CICostIndexUSA

Hartford, CT vs Salem, OR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCT
Hartford
102.7
overall index
$2,025/mo rent
OR
Salem
103.6
overall index
$1,625/mo rent

Hartford is slightly cheaper than Salem — 0.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Hartford, you would need $80,700 in Salem. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing≈ Equal
Hartford
110.2
Salem
110.3
🛒 Groceries+8.2%
Hartford
97.3
Salem
105.3
🚗 Transportation2.3%
Hartford
107.8
Salem
105.3
🏥 Healthcare2.3%
Hartford
97.5
Salem
95.3
Utilities27.7%
Hartford
144.9
Salem
104.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Salem, OR
$80,700
$700 more needed in Salem

Formula: salary × (103.6 ÷ 102.7) = salary × 1.0088. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Hartford, CT

Median Home Price
$407,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,025
Housing Index
110.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.7×

Salem, OR

Median Home Price
$455,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,625
Housing Index
110.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.3×

Income & Job Market

Hartford, CT

Median Household Income
$94,400
Per Capita Income
$53,800
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
121,054
Top Industries
FinanceInsuranceHealthcareGovernmentEducation

Salem, OR

Median Household Income
$82,700
Per Capita Income
$47,100
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
Population
174,365
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareManufacturingRetailAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

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

Hartford, CT
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Salem, OR
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.