The 06105 zip code in Hartford tops our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Connecticut.
We looked at 124 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 | $105,146 | $1,382 |
| 2 | Newington🥈 | 95.0 | $329,676 | $1,580 |
| 3 | East Hartford 🥉 | 89.6 | $282,828 | $1,427 |
| 4 | Torrington | 89.0 | $259,279 | $1,279 |
| 5 | Plainville | 88.0 | $302,571 | $1,513 |
| 6 | Bristol | 86.0 | $307,123 | $1,583 |
| 7 | Naugatuck | 85.4 | $311,489 | $1,734 |
| 8 | Manchester | 84.0 | $288,788 | $1,926 |
| 9 | Wethersfield | 83.6 | $370,380 | $1,915 |
| 10 | South Windsor | 83.5 | $405,154 | $2,165 |
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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 124 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 100 | No. 1 | N/A |
| Median home value | $105,146[1] | No. 1 | -$357,842.19 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.8 | No. 1 | -1.9 |
| Home value five-year change | 28.3%[2] | No. 1 | -27.3% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.0%[3] | No. 37 | -0.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,382[4] | No. 4 | -$935 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 3.66% | No. 114 | 1.3% |
| Median household income | $37,725[5] | No. 123 | -$60,775 |
| Property taxes | $7,795[6] | No. 93 | $1,206 |
| 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 124 markets we evaluated.
The median home value is $105,146, making it the 1st-cheapest housing market in the state. Forecasts project a 0.0% change in home values in the next year. Rent in the zip code averages $1,382 per month, which is the 114th cheapest amount in Connecticut.
The median property tax for homeowners in Hartford is $7,795 per household, the No. 93 ranked market in Connecticut.
Residents pay $0.20 per kWh of electricity, which ranks No. 39 among Connecticut markets.
2. Newington
The 06111 zip code is the 2nd-cheapest place to live in Connecticut.
🔎 Key data about Newington
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 124 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 95.0 | No. 2 | N/A |
| Median home value | $329,676[8] | No. 45 | -$133,312.05 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.3 | No. 11 | -1.4 |
| Home value five-year change | 53.2%[9] | No. 36 | -2.5% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.0%[10] | No. 37 | -0.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,580[11] | No. 14 | -$737 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.58% | No. 2 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $100,239[12] | No. 58 | $1,739 |
| Property taxes | $6,200[13] | No. 58 | -$389 |
| Energy costs | $0.20 kWh[14] | No. 39 | $0.00 |
Newington's 06111 zip code has a median home value of $329,676, which is the 37th-cheapest housing market in Connecticut. You can rent for an average of $1,580 per month. That's the 14th-cheapest price in the state.
The average household income in the zip code is $100,239, which ranks 58th-highest in the state.
Homeowners in Newington pay a median property tax of $6,200 per year, making it the 58th-most affordable market in Connecticut.
Newington ranks No. 39 among Connecticut energy markets. You'll pay $0.20 per kWh of electricity.
3. East Hartford
The 3rd-cheapest place to live in Connecticut is East Hartford's 06118 zip code.
🔎 Key data about East Hartford
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 124 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 89.6 | No. 3 | N/A |
| Median home value | $282,828[15] | No. 23 | -$180,160.24 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.8 | No. 37 | -0.9 |
| Home value five-year change | 67.4%[16] | No. 105 | 11.8% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.0%[17] | No. 37 | -0.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,427[18] | No. 7 | -$890 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.92% | No. 12 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $74,495[19] | No. 89 | -$24,005 |
| Property taxes | $5,562[20] | No. 40 | -$1,027 |
| Energy costs | $0.20 kWh[21] | No. 39 | $0.00 |
The No. 23 cheapest housing in Connecticut is East Hartford's 06118 zip code, with a median home value of $282,828. Rents in the market average $1,427 per month, making it the 7th-most affordable rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in East Hartford is $5,562, which makes it the 40th-cheapest place in Connecticut. East Hartford ranks No. 39 among Connecticut markets by energy costs. Residents pay $0.20 per kWh of electricity.
4. Torrington
The 06790 zip code in Torrington comes in at No. 4 on our list of the cheapest places to live in Connecticut.
🔎 Key data about Torrington
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 124 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 89.0 | No. 4 | N/A |
| Median home value | $259,279[22] | No. 14 | -$203,709.24 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.9 | No. 46 | -0.8 |
| Home value five-year change | 88.9%[23] | No. 118 | 33.3% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 1.7%[24] | No. 123 | 1.5% |
| Rental costs | $1,279[25] | No. 1 | -$1,038 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.92% | No. 13 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $66,762[26] | No. 97 | -$31,738 |
| Property taxes | $5,091[27] | No. 29 | -$1,498 |
| Energy costs | $0.20 kWh[28] | No. 39 | $0.00 |
The No. 14 cheapest housing market in Connecticut is Torrington's 06790 zip code, where the median home value is $259,279. Renters here pay an average of $1,279 per month.
When it comes to energy costs, Torrington ranks 39th among Connecticut markets. Residents pay $0.20 per kWh of electricity.
The median property tax for households in the zip code is $5,091, which makes it the 29th-cheapest market in Connecticut.
5. Plainville
The 06062 zip code in Plainville ranks No. 5 among Connecticut's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Plainville
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 124 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 88.0 | No. 5 | N/A |
| Median home value | $302,571[29] | No. 31 | -$160,417.36 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.8 | No. 44 | -0.9 |
| Home value five-year change | 56.2%[30] | No. 55 | 0.6% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.0%[31] | No. 37 | -0.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,513[32] | No. 13 | -$804 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.92% | No. 14 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $78,867[33] | No. 84 | -$19,633 |
| Property taxes | $4,688[34] | No. 14 | -$1,901 |
| Energy costs | $0.20 kWh[35] | No. 39 | $0.00 |
Plainville's 06062 zip code has a median home value of $302,571, the 31st-cheapest market in the state. Forecasts project a 0.0% change in home values in the next year.
The median property tax per household in Plainville is $4,688. It's the 14th-cheapest market by tax rate in Connecticut.
6. Bristol
The No. 6 most affordable place to live in Connecticut is the 06010 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Bristol
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 124 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 86.0 | No. 6 | N/A |
| Median home value | $307,123[36] | No. 35 | -$155,865.26 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.7 | No. 32 | -1.0 |
| Home value five-year change | 64.7%[37] | No. 95 | 9.1% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.0%[38] | No. 37 | -0.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,583[39] | No. 15 | -$734 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.93% | No. 15 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $82,159[40] | No. 77 | -$16,341 |
| Property taxes | $5,181[41] | No. 32 | -$1,408 |
| Energy costs | $0.20 kWh[42] | No. 39 | $0.00 |
The back half of our top 10 kicks off with Bristol's 06010 zip code, which has the 35th-cheapest home values in Connecticut. The median home value is $307,123. Rents average $1,583 per month, making it the 15th-most affordable rental market in the state.
Residents pay $0.20 per kWh of electricity. It's the 39th-cheapest energy market.
7. Naugatuck
Naugatuck's 06770 zip code is the 7th-cheapest place to live in Connecticut.
🔎 Key data about Naugatuck
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 124 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 85.4 | No. 7 | N/A |
| Median home value | $311,489[43] | No. 39 | -$151,498.76 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.4 | No. 21 | -1.3 |
| Home value five-year change | 69.0%[44] | No. 107 | 13.3% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.5%[45] | No. 89 | 0.3% |
| Rental costs | $1,734[46] | No. 28 | -$583 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.90% | No. 11 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $91,114[47] | No. 69 | -$7,386 |
| Property taxes | $6,304[48] | No. 63 | -$285 |
| Energy costs | $0.20 kWh[49] | No. 39 | $0.00 |
You'll find the 39th-cheapest home values in Connecticut in Naugatuck's 06770 zip code. The median value: $311,489. Renters in Naugatuck pay an average of $1,734 per month.
Homeowners in Naugatuck pay a median property tax of $6,304 per year, which is Connecticut's 63rd-most affordable market.
The average household income is $91,114, which ranks 69th-highest in the state.
8. Manchester
The 8th-cheapest place to live in Connecticut is Manchester's 06042 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Manchester
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 124 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 84.0 | No. 8 | N/A |
| Median home value | $288,788[50] | No. 26 | -$174,200.24 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.3 | No. 10 | -1.4 |
| Home value five-year change | 63.0%[51] | No. 85 | 7.3% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.0%[52] | No. 37 | -0.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,926[53] | No. 37 | -$390 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.19% | No. 24 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $87,808[54] | No. 72 | -$10,692 |
| Property taxes | $4,939[55] | No. 24 | -$1,650 |
| Energy costs | $0.20 kWh[56] | No. 39 | $0.00 |
The 26th-cheapest housing market in Connecticut is Manchester's 06042 zip code, with a median home value of $288,788. Renters pay an average of $1,926 per month, the No. 37 rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Manchester is $4,939, which makes it the 24th-cheapest place in Connecticut. The average household income of $87,808 ranks 72nd.
9. Wethersfield
Wethersfield's 06109 zip code sneaks into the top ten of Connecticut's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Wethersfield
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 124 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 83.6 | No. 9 | N/A |
| Median home value | $370,380[57] | No. 61 | -$92,608.08 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.4 | No. 19 | -1.3 |
| Home value five-year change | 50.9%[58] | No. 26 | -4.7% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.0%[59] | No. 37 | -0.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,915[60] | No. 35 | -$402 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.76% | No. 7 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $108,656[61] | No. 45 | $10,156 |
| Property taxes | $7,328[62] | No. 86 | $739 |
| Energy costs | $0.20 kWh[63] | No. 39 | $0.00 |
The 61st-cheapest housing market in Connecticut is Wethersfield's 06109 zip code, where the median home value is $370,380. Renters pay an average of $1,915 per month. It's the state's 35th-cheapest rental market.
The median property tax for households within the zip code is $7,328, which makes it the 86th-cheapest property tax rate in Connecticut.
10. South Windsor
The final spot on our list of the most affordable places to live in Connecticut goes to the 06074 zip code in South Windsor.
🔎 Key data about South Windsor
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 124 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 83.5 | No. 10 | N/A |
| Median home value | $405,154[64] | No. 72 | -$57,834.03 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.0 | No. 3 | -1.7 |
| Home value five-year change | 60.0%[65] | No. 75 | 4.4% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.0%[66] | No. 37 | -0.2% |
| Rental costs | $2,165[67] | No. 45 | -$152 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.61% | No. 3 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $134,080[68] | No. 24 | $35,580 |
| Property taxes | $7,352[69] | No. 89 | $763 |
| Energy costs | $0.20 kWh[70] | No. 39 | $0.00 |
The 72nd-most affordable market in Connecticut is South Windsor's 06074 zip code. The median home value is $405,154. Rent in the market costs $2,165 per month on average, making it the 45th-most affordable rental market in Connecticut.
The median property tax for households in South Windsor is $7,352, which is the 89th-cheapest property tax rate in the state.
South Windsor ranks No. 39 among Connecticut markets by energy costs, with households paying $0.20 per kWh of electricity.
How we ranked the most affordable places in Connecticut
We evaluated 124 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.
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.
Methodology: What is an Affordability Score?
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.
