Atlanta GA vs Hartford CT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Hartford
36.1%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 119,970 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 39.9% | 26.4% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 46.9% | 36.1% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 2.3% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $45,300 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $27,319 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 10.6% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 25.5% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 18.3% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 25.8% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 40.4% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.8% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 20.8% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 20.3% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.3% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Hartford
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 45.9 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 24.4 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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