Apartments for Rent in Hartford, CT
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Renter's guide to Hartford, CT

Covering 18 square miles, Hartford is the capital of Connecticut and the state’s fourth-largest city.

Hartford is 120 miles, or a 3-hour drive from New York City. It is a 2-hour drive from Boston, a one-and-a-half hour drive from Amherst, Massachusetts, and between four and four-and-a-half hours from Burlington, Vermont. Bradley International Airport in Connecticut is about a half-hour drive north of Hartford.

In recent years, Hartford has been ranked on Sperling’s Best Places lists for “Best Cities for Teleworking” and “Most Energetic Cities.” However, Hartford has also been included on ranking lists for highest crime rates and highest poverty rates.

Weather in Hartford, CT is typical of the humid continental climate zone. Hartford experiences four distinct seasons: summer from roughly June through August, autumn from September through November, winter from December through February, and spring from March through May. July is the hottest month, with an average high temperature of 87°F, and January the coldest, averaging a low of 25.5°F. Summers in Hartford are hot and humid with occasional thunderstorms. Hartford receives an average of 46 inches of rain per year and about 45 inches of snowfall in the winter months.

Tips for renting in Hartford, CT

Things to do in Hartford, CT

There are an abundance of exciting things to do in Hartford. At the top of the list is the Mark Twain House & Museum, a national historic landmark celebrating the life and works of the famous author. Another must-see site in Hartford for history, literature, or architecture buffs is the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, a historical site and museum commemorating the author’s life and putting on educational programming on social justice issues.

Lovers of the outdoors will enjoy Hartford’s urban parks, peaceful gardens, and nature preserves. Local favorites for walking, jogging, and cycling in Hartford include Elizabeth Park, Bushnell Park, and Riverside Park.

Families with children will enjoy an outing to the Connecticut Science Center, which features rotating exhibits and lots of hands-on activities for learners of all ages. For a date night in Hartford, couples should check out the newly revamped Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, which is ideal for a romantic stroll with its great picnic spots and lovely views of the city skyline. Among the most popular restaurants in Hartford are Salute, Max Downtown, Firebox, and Bear’s Smokehouse Barbecue.

Hartford, CT employment & economy

Hartford has been nicknamed the “Insurance Capital of the World,” as the city is home to headquarters of many major insurance companies and insurance remains one of the largest employment sectors in the area. Aetna—Hartford’s largest employer—along with the Hartford Financial Services Group, Conning & Co., and UnitedHealthcare are some of the insurance companies based in Hartford. Healthcare and medical research are also important sectors in Hartford’s economy. Hartford Hospital, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, and Saint Francis Hospital & Medical Center are all based in Hartford.

Education in Hartford, CT

The Hartford Public School system serves about 22,000 students in its 28 elementary schools and 16 middle and high schools, including Hartford Public High School, the second oldest in the nation. Hartford spends an average of $19,350 per student, which is above the national average. Among its nontraditional schooling options, Hartford has magnet schools, Montessori schools, academies of math, science, and the arts, technical high schools, as well as several religiously affiliated private schools.

A handful of higher education institutions are based in Hartford, including Trinity College and the University of Hartford. Additionally, Capital Community College and the Hartford Seminary are located in downtown Hartford, and the University of Connecticut’s School of Business and School of Law operate branches in the city.