Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 119,970 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 39.1% | 26.4% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 2.3% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Chicago +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $45,300 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $27,319 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 10.6% | Chicago + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 25.5% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 18.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 25.8% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 40.4% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.8% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.8% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 20.3% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.3% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Hartford
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 50.6°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 45.9 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 24.4 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, 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 344 in Chicago. Chicago has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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