The 06105 zip code in Hartford, Connecticut tops our ranking of the most affordable places to live in New England.
Whether you're searching for affordable cities and towns to buy a home or the places with the lowest cost of living to rent, consider the following zip codes.
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Top 10 most affordable places to live in New England
New England includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
| Rank | City | Affordability Score | Median home value | Rental costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hartford, CT 🥇 | 62.4 | $110,899 | $1,255 |
| 2 | South Windsor, CT🥈 | 56.5 | $432,160 | $2,243 |
| 3 | Wethersfield, CT 🥉 | 54.6 | $424,379 | $1,943 |
| 4 | Barre, VT | 53.8 | $307,361 | $1,432 |
| 5 | Southington, CT | 53.4 | $437,012 | $2,050 |
| 6 | Farmington, CT | 50.8 | $479,840 | $2,360 |
| 7 | Naugatuck, CT | 50.6 | $346,264 | $1,781 |
| 8 | Glastonbury, CT | 49.7 | $532,115 | $2,206 |
| 9 | West Hartford, CT | 49.7 | $587,163 | $2,624 |
| 10 | Windsor, CT | 48.9 | $365,309 | $2,058 |
What these affordable cities and towns have in common
The 10 zip codes we ranked share a common trait: a low cost of living relative to the regional median.
Median home values, rental costs, and property taxes generally sit below the regional averages, while household incomes remain strong enough to keep home affordability ratios manageable. Below, we look at each market in detail.
✍️ Editor's note: The cities below represent multiple states, which means the affordability picture extends beyond what any single ranking can capture. State income taxes, sales taxes, climate, and job market strength vary significantly across the region.
These factors can shift the real cost of living by thousands of dollars per year. Use these rankings to narrow your search, then dig into the state-specific factors that matter most to you.
1. Hartford, Connecticut
Here's why the 06105 zip code in Hartford is the region's most affordable place to live.
🔎 Key data about Hartford
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 470 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 62.4 | No. 1 | N/A |
| Median home value | $110,899[1] | No. 1 | -$407,061 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.6 | No. 1 | -2.8 |
| Home value five-year change | 12.8%[2] | No. 1 | -27.5% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 2.2%[3] | No. 52 | 0.9% |
| Rental costs | $1,255[4] | No. 1 | -$931 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.99% | No. 102 | 0.7% |
| Median household income | $41,937[5] | No. 119 | -$53,159 |
| Property taxes | $8,249[6] | No. 94 | $2,423 |
| Energy costs | $0.22 kWh[7] | No. 7 | $0.01 |
Hartford's 06105 zip code is the cheapest place to live in New England, leading the 470 markets we evaluated.
The median home value is $110,899, making it the 1st-cheapest housing market in the region. Forecasts project a 2.2% change in home values in the next year. Rent in the zip code averages $1,255 per month, which is the 102nd-cheapest amount in New England.
The median property tax for homeowners in Hartford is $8,249 per household, the No. 94 ranked market in New England.
Residents pay $0.22 per kWh of electricity, which ranks No. 7 among the region's markets.
2. South Windsor, Connecticut
The 06074 zip code is the 2nd-cheapest place to live in New England.
🔎 Key data about South Windsor
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 470 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 56.5 | No. 2 | N/A |
| Median home value | $432,160[1] | No. 70 | -$85,800 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.0 | No. 2 | -2.5 |
| Home value five-year change | 53.2%[2] | No. 91 | 13.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 2.4%[3] | No. 78 | 1.1% |
| Rental costs | $2,243[4] | No. 51 | $57 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.55% | No. 4 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $144,961[5] | No. 22 | $49,865 |
| Property taxes | $7,888[6] | No. 90 | $2,062 |
| Energy costs | $0.22 kWh[7] | No. 7 | $0.01 |
South Windsor's 06074 zip code has a median home value of $432,160, which is the 70th-cheapest housing market in New England. You can rent for an average of $2,243 per month. That's the 51st-cheapest price in the region.
The average household income in the zip code is $144,961, which ranks 22nd-highest in New England.
Homeowners in South Windsor pay a median property tax of $7,888 per year, making it the 90th-most affordable market in the region.
South Windsor ranks No. 7 among the region's energy markets. You'll pay $0.22 per kWh of electricity.
3. Wethersfield, Connecticut
The 3rd-least-expensive place to live in New England is Wethersfield's 06109 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Wethersfield
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 470 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 54.6 | No. 3 | N/A |
| Median home value | $424,379[1] | No. 65 | -$93,581 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.3 | No. 8 | -2.1 |
| Home value five-year change | 51.4%[2] | No. 78 | 11.1% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 2.4%[3] | No. 78 | 1.1% |
| Rental costs | $1,943[4] | No. 31 | -$243 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.53% | No. 3 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $126,806[5] | No. 35 | $31,710 |
| Property taxes | $7,296[6] | No. 81 | $1,470 |
| Energy costs | $0.22 kWh[7] | No. 7 | $0.01 |
The No. 65 cheapest housing market in New England is Wethersfield's 06109 zip code, with a median home value of $424,379. Rents in the market average $1,943 per month, making it the 31st-most affordable rental market in the region.
The median property tax for households in Wethersfield is $7,296, which makes it the 81st-cheapest place in New England. Wethersfield ranks No. 7 among the region's markets by energy costs. Residents pay $0.22 per kWh of electricity.
4. Barre, Vermont
The 05641 zip code in Barre comes in at No. 4 on our list of the cheapest places to live in New England.
🔎 Key data about Barre
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 470 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 53.8 | No. 4 | N/A |
| Median home value | $307,361[1] | No. 3 | -$210,599 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.0 | No. 2 | -1.4 |
| Home value five-year change | 44.7%[2] | No. 12 | 4.5% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.5%[3] | No. 3 | -0.8% |
| Rental costs | $1,432[4] | No. 1 | -$754 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.86% | No. 2 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $76,855[5] | No. 8 | -$18,241 |
| Property taxes | $4,901[6] | No. 4 | -$925 |
| Energy costs | $0.22 kWh[7] | No. 5 | $0.01 |
The No. 3 cheapest housing market in New England is Barre's 05641 zip code, where the median home value is $307,361. Renters here pay an average of $1,432 per month.
When it comes to energy costs, Barre ranks 5th among the region's markets. Residents pay $0.22 per kWh of electricity.
The median property tax for households in the zip code is $4,901, which makes it the 4th-cheapest market in New England.
5. Southington, Connecticut
The 06489 zip code in Southington ranks No. 5 among the region's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Southington
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 470 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 53.4 | No. 5 | N/A |
| Median home value | $437,012[1] | No. 71 | -$80,948 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.5 | No. 14 | -2.0 |
| Home value five-year change | 45.6%[2] | No. 37 | 5.4% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 2.3%[3] | No. 63 | 1.0% |
| Rental costs | $2,050[4] | No. 40 | -$136 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.62% | No. 5 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $126,465[5] | No. 37 | $31,369 |
| Property taxes | $6,253[6] | No. 53 | $427 |
| Energy costs | $0.22 kWh[7] | No. 7 | $0.01 |
Southington's 06489 zip code has a median home value of $437,012, the 71st-cheapest housing market in the region. Forecasts project a 2.3% change in home values in the next year.
The median property tax per household in Southington is $6,253. It's the 53rd-cheapest market by tax rate in New England.
6. Farmington, Connecticut
The No. 6 most affordable city to live in New England is the 06032 zip code in Farmington.
🔎 Key data about Farmington
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 470 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 50.8 | No. 6 | N/A |
| Median home value | $479,840[1] | No. 83 | -$38,120 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.4 | No. 11 | -2.0 |
| Home value five-year change | 51.3%[2] | No. 75 | 11.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 2.4%[3] | No. 78 | 1.1% |
| Rental costs | $2,360[4] | No. 94 | $174 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.67% | No. 8 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $140,912[5] | No. 24 | $45,816 |
| Property taxes | $6,826[6] | No. 72 | $1,000 |
| Energy costs | $0.22 kWh[7] | No. 7 | $0.01 |
The back half of our top 10 kicks off with Farmington's 06032 zip code, which has the 83rd-cheapest home values in New England. The median home value is $479,840. Rents average $2,360 per month, making it the 94th-most affordable rental market in the region.
Residents pay $0.22 per kWh of electricity. It's the 7th-cheapest energy market.
7. Naugatuck, Connecticut
Naugatuck's 06770 zip code is the 7th-cheapest place to live in New England.
🔎 Key data about Naugatuck
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 470 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 50.6 | No. 7 | N/A |
| Median home value | $346,264[1] | No. 37 | -$171,696 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.6 | No. 20 | -1.8 |
| Home value five-year change | 53.7%[2] | No. 92 | 13.4% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 2.1%[3] | No. 37 | 0.8% |
| Rental costs | $1,781[4] | No. 20 | -$405 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.85% | No. 13 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $96,208[5] | No. 67 | $1,112 |
| Property taxes | $6,362[6] | No. 57 | $536 |
| Energy costs | $0.22 kWh[7] | No. 7 | $0.01 |
You'll find the 37th-cheapest home values in New England in Naugatuck's 06770 zip code. The median value: $346,264. Renters in Naugatuck pay an average of $1,781 per month.
Homeowners in Naugatuck pay a median property tax of $6,362 per year, which is the region's 57th-most affordable market.
The average household income is $96,208, which ranks 67th-highest in New England.
8. Glastonbury, Connecticut
The 8th-least-expensive place to live in New England is Glastonbury's 06033 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Glastonbury
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 470 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 49.7 | No. 8 | N/A |
| Median home value | $532,115[1] | No. 89 | $14,155 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.5 | No. 18 | -1.9 |
| Home value five-year change | 52.2%[2] | No. 87 | 11.9% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 2.4%[3] | No. 78 | 1.1% |
| Rental costs | $2,206[4] | No. 48 | $20 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.47% | No. 1 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $149,962[5] | No. 18 | $54,866 |
| Property taxes | $9,055[6] | No. 102 | $3,229 |
| Energy costs | $0.22 kWh[7] | No. 7 | $0.01 |
The 89th-cheapest housing market in New England is Glastonbury's 06033 zip code, with a median home value of $532,115. Renters pay an average of $2,206 per month, the No. 48 rental market in the region.
The median property tax for households in Glastonbury is $9,055, which makes it the 102nd-cheapest place in New England. The average household income of $149,962 ranks 18th.
9. West Hartford, Connecticut
West Hartford's 06107 zip code is one of the region's most affordable towns, sneaking into the top ten of our rankings.
🔎 Key data about West Hartford
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 470 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 49.7 | No. 9 | N/A |
| Median home value | $587,163[1] | No. 100 | $69,203 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.4 | No. 9 | -2.1 |
| Home value five-year change | 53.8%[2] | No. 94 | 13.6% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 2.6%[3] | No. 111 | 1.3% |
| Rental costs | $2,624[4] | No. 103 | $438 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.50% | No. 2 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $174,844[5] | No. 9 | $79,748 |
| Property taxes | $10,001[6] | No. 108 | $4,175 |
| Energy costs | $0.22 kWh[7] | No. 7 | $0.01 |
The 100th-cheapest housing market in New England is West Hartford's 06107 zip code, where the median home value is $587,163. Renters pay an average of $2,624 per month. It's the region's 103rd-cheapest rental market.
The median property tax for households within the zip code is $10,001, which makes it the 108th-cheapest property tax rate in New England.
10. Windsor, Connecticut
The final spot on our list of the most affordable places to live in New England goes to the 06095 zip code in Windsor.
🔎 Key data about Windsor
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 470 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 48.9 | No. 10 | N/A |
| Median home value | $365,309[1] | No. 46 | -$152,651 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.5 | No. 15 | -2.0 |
| Home value five-year change | 50.9%[2] | No. 72 | 10.7% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 2.4%[3] | No. 78 | 1.1% |
| Rental costs | $2,058[4] | No. 41 | -$128 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.95% | No. 17 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $105,322[5] | No. 54 | $10,226 |
| Property taxes | $5,358[6] | No. 26 | -$468 |
| Energy costs | $0.22 kWh[7] | No. 7 | $0.01 |
Rounding out our top 10 is Windsor's 06095 zip code, with the 46th-cheapest home values in the region. The median home value is $365,309. Rent in the market costs $2,058 per month on average, making it the 41st-most affordable rental market in New England.
The median property tax for households in Windsor is $5,358, which is the 26th-cheapest property tax rate in the region.
Windsor ranks No. 7 among New England markets by energy costs, with households paying $0.22 per kWh of electricity.
What questions about these cities should I ask local agents?
Once you've found a town you're interested in, you'll want to ask a local agent for details our rankings can't capture. Start with these four questions:
- What neighborhoods inside this zip code have the best resale value?
- What's the rental market like right now?
- Are there local property tax exemptions or homestead programs you'd qualify for?
- What are the most common surprises buyers run into here?
🏡 Need a local agent? We can connect you with an expert who knows the market.
Frequently asked questions about the least expensive places to live in New England
Based on Clever's Affordability Score, the 06105 zip code in Hartford, CT, is the cheapest place to live in New England.
The median home value is $110,899, and the median household income is $41,937, giving Hartford a home affordability ratio of 2.6, meaning a typical home costs about that many times the median annual income.
See our Affordability Score methodology and the full ranking of the 10 cheapest places to live in New England.
The median home value in New England is $517,960.
See the rankings above for how individual cities compare to this region-wide figure.
The median amount homeowners pay in property taxes in New England is $5,826 per year.
Property taxes vary significantly by location, however. The tax figures in the rankings above show how each of the 10 cheapest places stacks up against the regional median.
📍 The 10 cheapest places to live in your state
How we ranked the most affordable cities and towns in New England
We evaluated 470 zip codes in New England with a population over 10,000 on nine metrics. We then assigned each market an Affordability Score based on its weighted and combined rankings.
✍️ Editor’s note: Our Affordability Score identifies the most affordable places in a region 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.
Methodology: What is an Affordability Score?
Our proprietary Affordability Score is a score on a scale of 0 (worst in region) to 100 (best in region) 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 New England, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 13.0% 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 28.0% 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 10.0% 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 8.0% 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 7.0% 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 5.0% 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 17.0% 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 regional average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 8.0% 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 regional average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 4.0% to energy costs.
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