Hartford, the “Insurance Capital of the World,” is quickly becoming home for many Connecticut residents and out-of-staters alike. From renowned restaurants to its historic past, it’s not a shock that nearly 121,100 people live in Hartford.
If you’re looking to buy a home in Hartford, expect to see the median home sale price at $240,000 and the average sale price per square foot at $107. And if you’re considering renting an apartment in Hartford, the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $2,421.
If those numbers are out of your budget, don’t worry. We’ve rounded up a list of the 7 best affordable Hartford suburbs to consider living in – and they’re all under a 50-minute drive from the city. That way, you can live close to Hartford and all its awesome activities without paying the premium price of buying a home there.
#1: East Hampton
Median home price: $183,000
Average sale price per square foot: $78
Driving distance from Hartford: 25 minutes
East Hampton, CT homes for sale
East Hampton, CT apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $183,000, East Hampton lands the number one spot on our list as the most affordable Hartford suburb. About 3,000 people live in this suburban area, and you’ll only be about a 25-minute drive from downtown Hartford. Living in East Hampton, you can check out Hurd State Park, visit the Chatham Historical Society, or hike along the Air Line State Park Trail.
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#2: Torrington
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Median home price: $210,000
Average sale price per square foot: $134
Driving distance from Hartford: 50 minutes
Torrington, CT homes for sale
Torrington, CT apartments for rent
Just a little more expensive than East Hampton is the suburb of Torrington. Only 50 minutes from Hartford, you can visit one of the museums like Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art or The Mark Twain House & Museum in a drive. Living in Torrington, you’ll want to explore the Sunnybrook State Park, Stillwater Pond State Park, or Burr Pond State Park, and explore the downtown Torrington streets.
#3: Waterbury
Median home price: $221,000
Average sale price per square foot: $134
Driving distance from Hartford: 40 minutes
Waterbury, CT homes for sale
Waterbury, CT apartments for rent
Taking the third spot is Waterbury. Just 40 minutes outside of Hartford, you’ll find the home prices are much less expensive. There are plenty of charming and outdoorsy activities to participate in living in Waterbury. If you find yourself moving here, tour the Mattatuck Museum or Holy Land USA Waterbury, spend the day at Hamilton Park, or grab lunch at one of the local spots.
#4: New Britain
Median home price: $228,000
Average sale price per square foot: $128
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,450
Driving distance from Hartford: 20 minutes
New Britain, CT homes for sale
New Britain, CT apartments for rent
A little more expensive than Waterbury is the suburb of New Britain. There are several top attractions you may want to check out in this Hartford suburb. Make sure to spend the day at Stanley Quarter Park or stop by one of the many museums like the New Britain Museum of American Art or New Britain Industrial Museum.
#5: Manchester
Median home price: $235,000
Average sale price per square foot: $157
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,800
Driving distance from Hartford: 15 minutes
Manchester, CT homes for sale
Manchester, CT apartments for rent
Drive 15 minutes outside of Hartford and you’ll find the suburb of Manchester, another great area to add to your list. With 36,400 residents, moving to this affordable suburb can keep you close enough to Hartford without paying the premium for a home there. In Manchester, you can visit one of the museums like The Fire Museum or Lutz Children’s Museum, hike at the Cheney Rail Trail, or check out Case Mountain.
#6: Meriden
Median home price: $247,500
Average sale price per square foot: $137
Driving distance from Hartford: 25 minutes
Meriden, CT homes for sale
Meriden, CT apartments for rent
With roughly 60,900 people calling Meriden home, it’s a great Hartford suburb to consider buying a house in. Make sure to stop by the historic Castle Craig, hike the Hanover Pond Trail or up to Chauncey Peak, and visit the charming stores downtown. You won’t get tired of this great suburb.
#7: Middletown
Median home price: $295,000
Average sale price per square foot: $169
Driving distance from Hartford: 25 minutes
Middletown, CT homes for sale
Middletown, CT apartments for rent
Rounding out our list of affordable Hartford suburbs is none other than Middletown. With a population of close to 47,700, you’ll live in a smaller area, but there’s no shortage of things to do in Middletown. Don’t miss out on enjoying the scenery at Wadsworth Falls State Park, visit the Greater Middletown Military Museum, and look at the riverfront views at Harbor Park and the Arrigoni Bridge.
Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s median home sale price or average sale price per square foot is less than Hartford and under a 50-minute drive from downtown Hartford. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during November 2022. Average rental data from Rent.com November 2022. Population data sourced from United States Census Bureau.
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