[kidyankee764]

Per capita income in the Bridgeport- Stamford-Norwalk metro area was $73,720 in 2009, down 6.8 percent from $79,108 the previous year, according to estimates released Monday by the U.S. Commerce Department. That's almost 20 percent higher than the next wealthiest metro area of San Francisco and the East Bay, which came in at $59,696 after falling by 4.6 percent.

Wow!

I never realized how high up on the list the Hartford area was regarding wealthy metros. It certainly doesn't get the recognition it deserves!

Per Capita Income Connecticut: Per Capita Income Falls in Bridgeport Metro Area, But Is Still Highest in Nation - Courant.com

[nep321]

I'm actually more surprised that New London metro area is right up there next to Hartford. I thought it was a significantly more depressed area of the state. Hmm.

[JayCT]

Hartford metro is number 12, New Haven is 22 and New London is 23. That goes to show that we are still a wealthy state even without Fairfield County. Jay

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Hartford metro is number 12, New Haven is 22 and New London is 23. That goes to show that we are still a wealthy state even without Fairfield County. Jay

That's what surprised me about this article.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

I never realized how high up on the list the Hartford area was regarding wealthy metros. It certainly doesn't get the recognition it deserves!

Per Capita Income Connecticut: Per Capita Income Falls in Bridgeport Metro Area, But Is Still Highest in Nation - Courant.com

You mean it's not the poorest crime ridden hell hole of a city in the nation where you can barely make it?

Really?

But that's what I read on teh interwebs...



Comparing it to other metros in the nation around the same size is also eye opening.

http://www.courant.com/business/hc-p...3635.htmlstory

Hartford: 12
Charlotte: 119
Indy: 93
JAX: 86
Orlando: 188
Richmond VA: 57
Austin: 155
Phoenix: 190

Etc etc.

Maybe there is a pot of gold at the end of that rainbow.

[Jpierpont]

I wonder what the numbers would look like when factoring in cost of living. I think CT would still figure highly on the list particularly Hartford, New London(especially) and New Haven counties. Places in Southern Florida and Nevada would likely fall even further down on the list.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Jpierpont

I wonder what the numbers would look like when factoring in cost of living. I think CT would still figure highly on the list particularly Hartford, New London(especially) and New Haven counties. Places in Southern Florida and Nevada would likely fall even further down on the list.

I think we'd see San Francisco (number 2) drop dramatically.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by Jpierpont

I wonder what the numbers would look like when factoring in cost of living. I think CT would still figure highly on the list particularly Hartford, New London(especially) and New Haven counties. Places in Southern Florida and Nevada would likely fall even further down on the list.

I think that's where Hartford would actually shine. For instance we are right there with NYC and Boston for income, yet the average home price for the Hartford Metro is about 245K vs about 500K in NYC and 400K in Boston. Going the other way, in Charlotte it's still 191K yet, they are 119 on the list vs 12 for Hartford for income.

What that spells to me is Hartford is a hidden gem with high incomes and below average real estate prices in comparison. (I know people b*tch about housing costs, but in the light of NYC and Boston etc it's really not that bad - also considering you can make almost as good as a living.)

Now how about them taxes.

[JayCT]

I agree with you JViello, Hartford is a hidden gem. When my New Jersey friends see what $500,000 buys here, they are jealous. And then when they see the property taxes and hear of the quality of the schools, they are so jealous. I will say they have higher incomes but it does not really compensate for the added cost. Jay

[ctcoldplay11]

Originally Posted by nep321

I'm actually more surprised that New London metro area is right up there next to Hartford. I thought it was a significantly more depressed area of the state. Hmm.

PLEASE. The New London/Norwich Metro is hardly "depressed". You just sound ignorant .