Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 119,970 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 83.6% | 26.4% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 2.3% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $45,300 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $27,319 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 10.6% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 25.5% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 18.3% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 25.8% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Hartford
1524
| Metric | Boise, ID | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1524 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Hartford
13.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Hartford
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 50.6°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 45.9 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Hartford
24.4 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 24.4 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, 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 251 in Boise. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Boise, ID vs New York, NYBoise, ID vs Los Angeles, CABoise, ID vs Chicago, ILBoise, ID vs Houston, TXBoise, ID vs Phoenix, AZBoise, ID vs Philadelphia, PA