The Hartford metro is home to 1,144,012 people (down 5.4% over five years), with a median household income of $92,823. Typical rent of $1,998/month works out to 25.8% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Hartford's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 26.5% |
| Professional & management | 11.5% |
| Manufacturing | 11.0% |
| Retail trade | 10.4% |
| Finance, insurance & real estate | 10.0% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 25.8% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Hartford market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,998/month suggests a household income around $80,000/year. The metro's median household income is $92,823.
By workforce share: Education & health care (26.5%), Professional & management (11.5%), Manufacturing (11.0%) (Census ACS 5-year).