The 06105 zip code in Hartford tops our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Connecticut.
We looked at 123 zip codes in the state, evaluating home values, rental costs, energy rates, property taxes, and five other affordability indicators. We used the data we gathered to calculate our proprietary Affordability Score for each zip code.
Top 10 most affordable places to live in Connecticut
| Rank | City | Affordability Score | Median home value | Rental costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hartford 🥇 | 100.0 | $104,586 | $1,353 |
| 2 | Colchester 🥈 | 83.0 | $401,095 | $1,711 |
| 3 | Newington 🥉 | 82.9 | $341,700 | $1,867 |
| 4 | Bristol | 81.7 | $313,888 | $1,618 |
| 5 | Wethersfield | 79.7 | $379,006 | $1,909 |
| 6 | Manchester | 78.9 | $296,453 | $1,955 |
| 7 | Naugatuck | 78.9 | $327,673 | $1,811 |
| 8 | Windsor Locks | 78.8 | $293,025 | $2,201 |
| 9 | Torrington | 77.7 | $269,698 | $1,481 |
| 10 | Rocky Hill | 77.1 | $377,531 | $1,709 |
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1. Hartford
Here's why the 06105 zip code in Hartford is Connecticut's most affordable place to live.
🔎 Key data about Hartford
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 123 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 100.0 | No. 1 | N/A |
| Median home value | $104,586[1] | No. 1 | -$361,975.91 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.8 | No. 1 | -2.0 |
| Home value five-year change | 20.2%[2] | No. 1 | -40.1% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 2.3%[3] | No. 36 | -0.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,353[4] | No. 2 | -$848 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 3.59% | No. 112 | 1.3% |
| Median household income | $37,725[5] | No. 122 | -$60,071 |
| Property taxes | $7,928[6] | No. 92 | $1,232 |
| Energy costs | $0.20 kWh[7] | No. 39 | $0.00 |
Hartford's 06105 zip code is the cheapest place to live in Connecticut, leading the 123 markets we evaluated.
The median home value is $104,586, making it the 1st-cheapest housing market in the state. Forecasts project a 2.3% change in home values in the next year. Rent in the zip code averages $1,353 per month, which is the 112th cheapest amount in Connecticut.
The median property tax for homeowners in Hartford is $7,928 per household, the No. 92 ranked market in Connecticut.
Residents pay $0.20 per kWh of electricity, which ranks No. 39 among Connecticut markets.
2. Colchester
The 6415 zip code is the 2nd-cheapest place to live in Connecticut.
🔎 Key data about Colchester
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 123 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 83.0 | No. 2 | N/A |
| Median home value | $401,095[8] | No. 67 | -$65,466.62 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.477532639 | No. 19 | -1.3 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.5707801163[9] | No. 35 | -3.2% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 3.1%[10] | No. 111 | 0.6% |
| Rental costs | $1,711[11] | No. 16 | -$489 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.48% | No. 1 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | 115339[12] | No. 39 | $17,543 |
| Property taxes | $6,154[13] | No. 49 | -$542 |
| Energy costs | 0.197636775 kWh[14] | No. 39 | $0.00 |
Colchester's 6415 zip code has a median home value of $401,095, which is the 111th-cheapest housing market in Connecticut. You can rent for an average of $1,711 per month. That's the 16th-cheapest price in the state.
The average household income in the zip code is 115339, which ranks 39th-highest in the state.
Homeowners in Colchester pay a median property tax of $6,154 per year, making it the 49th-most affordable market in Connecticut.
Colchester ranks No. 39 among Connecticut energy markets. You'll pay 0.197636775 per kWh of electricity.
3. Newington
The 3rd-cheapest place to live in Connecticut is Newington's 6111 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Newington
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 123 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 82.9 | No. 3 | N/A |
| Median home value | $341,700[15] | No. 47 | -$124,861.66 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.4088538 | No. 14 | -1.4 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.5562008043[16] | No. 28 | -4.7% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 2.7%[17] | No. 78 | 0.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,867[18] | No. 24 | -$334 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.86% | No. 11 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | 100239[19] | No. 58 | $2,443 |
| Property taxes | $6,259[20] | No. 55 | -$437 |
| Energy costs | 0.197636775 kWh[21] | No. 39 | $0.00 |
The No. 47 cheapest housing market in Connecticut is Newington's 6111 zip code, with a median home value of $341,700. Rents in the market average $1,867 per month, making it the 24th-most affordable rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Newington is $6,259, which makes it the 55th-cheapest place in Connecticut. Newington ranks No. 39 among Connecticut markets by energy costs. Residents pay 0.197636775 per kWh of electricity.
4. Bristol
The 6010 zip code in Bristol comes in at No. 4 on our list of the cheapest places to live in Connecticut.
🔎 Key data about Bristol
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 123 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 81.7 | No. 4 | N/A |
| Median home value | $313,888[22] | No. 33 | -$152,673.37 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.820499019 | No. 34 | -1.0 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.6743574515[23] | No. 94 | 7.2% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 2.7%[24] | No. 78 | 0.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,618[25] | No. 9 | -$583 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.97% | No. 16 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | 82159[26] | No. 76 | -$15,637 |
| Property taxes | $5,383[27] | No. 33 | -$1,313 |
| Energy costs | 0.197636775 kWh[28] | No. 39 | $0.00 |
The No. 33 cheapest housing market in Connecticut is Bristol's 6010 zip code, where the median home value is $313,888. Renters here pay an average of $1,618 per month.
When it comes to energy costs, Bristol ranks 39th among Connecticut markets. Residents pay 0.197636775 per kWh of electricity.
The median property tax for households in the zip code is $5,383, which makes it the 33rd-cheapest market in Connecticut.
5. Wethersfield
The 6109 zip code in Wethersfield ranks No. 5 among Connecticut's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Wethersfield
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 123 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 79.7 | No. 5 | N/A |
| Median home value | $379,006[29] | No. 62 | -$87,555.62 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.48812893 | No. 20 | -1.3 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.5418835543[30] | No. 16 | -6.1% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 2.6%[31] | No. 53 | 0.1% |
| Rental costs | $1,909[32] | No. 28 | -$292 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.76% | No. 5 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | 108656[33] | No. 45 | $10,860 |
| Property taxes | $7,324[34] | No. 86 | $628 |
| Energy costs | 0.197636775 kWh[35] | No. 39 | $0.00 |
Wethersfield's 6109 zip code has a median home value of $379,006, the 62nd-cheapest market in the state. Forecasts project a 2.6% change in home values in the next year.
The median property tax per household in Wethersfield is $7,324. It's the 86th-cheapest market by tax rate in Connecticut.
6. Manchester
The No. 6 most affordable place to live in Connecticut is the 6042 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Manchester
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 123 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 78.9 | No. 6 | N/A |
| Median home value | $296,453[36] | No. 25 | -$170,109.10 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.376146316 | No. 11 | -1.4 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.6664463539[37] | No. 90 | 6.4% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 2.8%[38] | No. 92 | 0.3% |
| Rental costs | $1,955[39] | No. 32 | -$246 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.23% | No. 25 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | 87808[40] | No. 71 | -$9,988 |
| Property taxes | $4,874[41] | No. 14 | -$1,822 |
| Energy costs | 0.197636775 kWh[42] | No. 39 | $0.00 |
The back half of our top 10 kicks off with Manchester's 6042 zip code, which has the 25th-cheapest home values in Connecticut. The median home value is $296,453. Rents average $1,955 per month, making it the 32nd-most affordable rental market in the state.
Residents pay 0.197636775 per kWh of electricity. It's the 39th-cheapest energy market.
7. Naugatuck
Naugatuck's 6770 zip code is the 7th-cheapest place to live in Connecticut.
🔎 Key data about Naugatuck
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 123 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 78.9 | No. 7 | N/A |
| Median home value | $327,673[43] | No. 38 | -$138,888.82 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.596296189 | No. 24 | -1.2 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.7088351762[44] | No. 102 | 10.6% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 2.6%[45] | No. 53 | 0.1% |
| Rental costs | $1,811[46] | No. 22 | -$390 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.99% | No. 17 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | 91114[47] | No. 68 | -$6,682 |
| Property taxes | $6,219[48] | No. 53 | -$477 |
| Energy costs | 0.197636775 kWh[49] | No. 39 | $0.00 |
You'll find the 38th-cheapest home values in Connecticut in Naugatuck's 6770 zip code. The median value: $327,673. Renters in Naugatuck pay an average of $1,811 per month.
Homeowners in Naugatuck pay a median property tax of $6,219 per year, which is Connecticut's 53rd-most affordable market.
The average household income is 91114, which ranks 68th-highest in the state.
8. Windsor Locks
The 8th-cheapest place to live in Connecticut is Windsor Locks's 6096 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Windsor Locks
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 123 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 78.8 | No. 8 | N/A |
| Median home value | $293,025[50] | No. 21 | -$173,536.60 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.424391127 | No. 17 | -1.3 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.5781987309[51] | No. 42 | -2.5% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 2.7%[52] | No. 78 | 0.2% |
| Rental costs | $2,201[53] | No. 41 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.25% | No. 28 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | 85570[54] | No. 73 | -$12,226 |
| Property taxes | $3,664[55] | No. 2 | -$3,032 |
| Energy costs | 0.197636775 kWh[56] | No. 39 | $0.00 |
The 21st-cheapest housing market in Connecticut is Windsor Locks's 6096 zip code, with a median home value of $293,025. Renters pay an average of $2,201 per month, the No. 41 rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Windsor Locks is $3,664, which makes it the 2nd-cheapest place in Connecticut. The average household income of 85570 ranks 73rd.
9. Torrington
Torrington's 6790 zip code sneaks into the top ten of Connecticut's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Torrington
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 123 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 77.7 | No. 9 | N/A |
| Median home value | $269,698[57] | No. 15 | -$196,863.49 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.039697123 | No. 52 | -0.7 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.9291358852[58] | No. 118 | 32.6% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 4.6%[59] | No. 122 | 2.1% |
| Rental costs | $1,481[60] | No. 4 | -$720 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.22% | No. 24 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | 66762[61] | No. 96 | -$31,034 |
| Property taxes | $5,147[62] | No. 25 | -$1,549 |
| Energy costs | 0.197636775 kWh[63] | No. 39 | $0.00 |
The 15th-cheapest housing market in Connecticut is Torrington's 6790 zip code, where the median home value is $269,698. Renters pay an average of $1,481 per month. It's the state's 4th-cheapest rental market.
The median property tax for households within the zip code is $5,147, which makes it the 25th-cheapest property tax rate in Connecticut.
10. Rocky Hill
The final spot on our list of the most affordable places to live in Connecticut goes to the 6067 zip code in Rocky Hill.
🔎 Key data about Rocky Hill
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 123 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 77.1 | No. 10 | N/A |
| Median home value | $377,531[64] | No. 61 | -$89,030.82 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.901201043 | No. 44 | -0.9 |
| Home value five-year change | 0.577721383[65] | No. 41 | -2.5% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 2.5%[66] | No. 42 | 0.0% |
| Rental costs | $1,709[67] | No. 15 | -$492 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.77% | No. 7 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | 96773[68] | No. 62 | -$1,023 |
| Property taxes | $6,429[69] | No. 65 | -$267 |
| Energy costs | 0.197636775 kWh[70] | No. 39 | $0.00 |
The 61st-most affordable market in Connecticut is Rocky Hill's 6067 zip code. The median home value is $377,531. Rent in the market costs $1,709 per month on average, making it the 15th-most affordable rental market in Connecticut.
The median property tax for households in Rocky Hill is $6,429, which is the 65th-cheapest property tax rate in the state.
Rocky Hill ranks No. 39 among Connecticut markets by energy costs, with households paying 0.197636775 per kWh of electricity.
How we ranked the most affordable places in Connecticut
We evaluated 123 zip codes in Connecticut with a population over 10,000 on nine metrics. We then assigned each market an Affordability Score based on its weighted and combined rankings.
Our proprietary Affordability Score is a score on a scale of 0 (worst in state) to 100 (best in state) that estimates the affordability of a particular zip code. It takes into account these key data points for each zip code.
- Median home value: The median home value for each zip code comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. The lower the median home value relative to the median value in Connecticut, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 23.8% to median home value.
- Home affordability ratio. The home affordability ratio is the typical median home value divided by the median household income in the zip code, which reveals the number of years of household income needed to afford a home in that zip code. A lower ratio is better because it means more households can afford a home. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 23.8% to the home affordability ratio.
- Home value five-year change: The home value five-year change is the amount that the median home value in the zip code has risen or fallen during the last five years. Our data comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. We assign a weight of 4.8% to the home value five-year change.
- Home value one-year forecast: The home value one-year forecast comes from Zillow Forecast data. It projects how much home values in the zip code are forecasted to change in the next year. We assign a weight of 4.8% to the home value one-year forecast.
- Rental costs. The rental costs are the observed rents in the zip code, sourced from the Zillow Observed Rent Index. The index includes "listed rents that fall into the 40th to 60th percentile range for all homes and apartments in a given region." We assign a weight of 11.9% to rental costs.
- Median household income: The inflation-adjusted median household income figures for the zip code comes from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 4.8% to median household income.
- Rent affordability ratio. The rent affordability ratio is the ratio of rental costs divided by median household income, which provides the percentage of household income needed to pay a typical month’s rent in the zip code. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 11.9% to the rent affordability ratio.
- Property taxes: The property tax figures are the median real estate taxes paid in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. The lower the property tax rate relative to the Connecticut average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 7.1% to property taxes.
- Energy costs: The energy costs are the costs of a kilowatt hour (kWh) of residential electricity in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Department of Energy. The lower the cost of electricity relative to the Connecticut average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 7.1% to energy costs.
✍️ Editor’s note: Our Affordability Score identifies the most affordable places in a state by zip code. Often the zip code we identify will represent an entire city or portion of a city.
Occasionally the zip code we identify will encompass an area that includes one or more small towns. In these cases, the data we’ve gathered applies to the entire zip code, not just the single town we’re using to help identify the zip code's location.
If you’re looking to move to one of these affordable places, we recommend doing additional research to make sure the costs in the area — and the quality of life it offers — meet your specific needs.
