Industries in East Hartford have long contributed to the defense and welfare of the United States. Also, during the Revolutionary War, the manufacturing of gunpowder and developing of jet engines in the 20th century.

One of the region's major employers, Pratt & Whitney is headquartered in the city of East Hartford. Coca-Cola also has a bottling plant, and there is also an assortment of industrial and suburban office parks.

A variety of housing is offered in East Hartford. Featuring the historic district, with architecture and atmosphere of colonial times, and present modern-day living with charming neighborhoods of single-family homes. Making up the city's neighborhoods is an assortment of apartments, condominiums, traditional and contemporary homes.

An active recreation department sponsors team and individual sports for all ages, as well as keep up public facilities for bicycling, cross-country, golf, handball, skateboarding, skiing, swimming and tennis. There is sufficient space for relaxing and picnicking at town parks. Home to the University of Connecticut Huskies football team, is the Rentschler Field which seats 40,000, and was opened in 2003 on an old Pratt & Whitney airstrip. Rentschler Field also hosts concerts an international soccer and rugby matches.

The school system in East Hartford offers a special technical vocational program that incorporates the experience of local businesses with classroom instruction and interdistrict magnet schools, along with continuing education for adults at night.