Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Hartford
33.4
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 119,970 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 33.4 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 54.8% | 26.4% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 2.3% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $45,300 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $27,319 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 10.6% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 25.5% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 18.3% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Berkeley +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 25.8% | Berkeley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 40.4% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 15.8% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 20.8% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 20.3% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 16.3% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 50.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 45.9 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 24.4 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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