Bristol, CT


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Bristol, CT

About Bristol, CT

Bristol, Connecticut is a beautiful city located in Hartford County. This charming community is known for its rich history and culture, making it an ideal place to settle down or visit. With plenty of outdoor activities available throughout the area and easy access to nearby cities such as Hartford, New Haven, and Providence, there’s something for everyone in Bristol. Families will love the abundance of family-friendly attractions and educational opportunities in the area, as well as its amazing restaurants and shopping centers. Whether you're looking for a relaxing retreat or an exciting getaway, Bristol is sure to have something that suits your needs! Capital city - North-central Connecticut along the Connecticut River, 40 miles from the Long Island Sound.

Zip Codes: 06010
Cost of Living:
Time zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Elevation: 179 ft above sea level

As a state capital and center for the insurance industry, Hartford has a long and colorful history as a colonial center and prosperous industrial-era city. The first insurance company was established here in the late 1700’s, and The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company, established in 1866, charted the course for industrial safety. Today Hartford is home to 35 insurance companies, including AETNA and The Hartford, which provide stable employment. The area is also headquarters to conglomerate United Technologies but most manufacturing has disappeared from the Hartford landscape and it has become a center for “knowledge” industries.

By the 1870’s, Hartford was home to many of the country’s leading philanthropists and literary figures, including Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe. The old city center is located on the Connecticut River with a modern downtown sprinkled with older historic buildings and nicer suburbs spreading into the wooded areas in the west. Areas north are commercial and somewhat run down while ethnic neighborhoods spread south.

East Hartford, across the Connecticut River, is headquarters to Pratt & Whitney and has more of a blue-collar feel, but is currently developing a large downtown commercial/retail/hospitality center along the waterfront. West Hartford is a more upscale residential area. The philanthropic heritage leaves Hartford well stocked with museums, activities, and special events. The area’s ethnic, economic and educational diversity are noteworthy.

Hartford is located in the broad Connecticut River Valley with low north-south mountain ranges on both sides of the city. The climate is New England continental. Prevailing winds bring most weather systems into the area from the west. In winter, Hartford receives polar air masses from the north and moist, tropical air from the south, resulting in variable weather and strong winter storms. Cold air trapped in the river valley can produce freezing rain and ice storms. In summer, the climate is usually warm and pleasant with occasional thunderstorms. First freeze is early October, last is late April.

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Bristol Cost of Living

Stable economy, arts and culture, and cultural diversity make Bristol a great place to live.

$263,300
-28.4% lower than avg
$73,604
+6.2% higher than avg
9.1 / 5.1
Comfort Index
summer/winter
Bristol Crime
31 / 100
Crime is ranked on a scale of 1 (low) to 100 (high). US average: 35.4
Minimum annual income
To live comfortably in Bristol, Connecticut
$50,400
for a family
$45,200
for a single person
Pros & Cons of Bristol
   Stable economy
Low job growth
   Arts and culture
Cost of living
   Cultural diversity
Harsh winters
Reviews for Bristol
    See all (4)

I moved to Bristol in 2003 to purchase a mid-size one family home. Bristol has a great deal of history to it...from clock making (we have the American Clock Museum), a  More
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I was born and raised in NJ, and spent many years living on Long Island, as well as living in upstate NY and other areas in CT. Bristol CT is by far the worst place I  More
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Over 15 years ago
Bristol, in a way can be deceiving. The schools in Bristol seem to be pretty decent, and it also features a park for children and their parents. In addition, it  More
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