Cary NC 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)
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
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
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Hartford
23.0%
White
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Cary
7.6%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 119,970 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 23.0% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 26.4% | Cary + |
| Black | 7.6% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 2.3% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $45,300 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $27,319 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 10.6% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 25.5% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 18.3% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 25.8% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 40.4% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 15.8% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 20.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 20.3% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 16.3% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 50.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 45.9 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
Hartford
24.4 min
| Metric | Cary, NC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 24.4 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, 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 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
Compare More Cities
Cary, NC vs New York, NYCary, NC vs Los Angeles, CACary, NC vs Chicago, ILCary, NC vs Houston, TXCary, NC vs Phoenix, AZCary, NC vs Philadelphia, PA