Austin TX 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 119,970 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 59.9% | 26.4% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 2.3% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $45,300 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $27,319 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 10.6% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 25.5% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 18.3% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Austin +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 25.8% | Austin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Austin +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 40.4% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 15.8% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 20.8% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 20.3% | Austin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 16.3% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 50.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 45.9 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 24.4 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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