Chula Vista 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 119,970 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 65.7% | 26.4% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 0.7% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 2.3% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Chula Vista +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $45,300 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $27,319 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 10.6% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 25.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 18.3% | Chula Vista + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 25.8% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Chula Vista, 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
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Chula Vista +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Chula Vista +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 40.4% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.8% | Chula Vista + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.8% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 20.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 16.3% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 50.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 45.9 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, 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
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 24.4 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, 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 Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
Compare More Cities
Chula Vista, CA vs New York, NYChula Vista, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Chula Vista, CAChula Vista, CA vs Houston, TXChula Vista, CA vs Phoenix, AZChula Vista, CA vs Philadelphia, PA