Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Hartford
33.4
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Hartford
36.1%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 119,970 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 33.4 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 49.4% | 26.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 36.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Cincinnati +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Cincinnati +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Cincinnati +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $45,300 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $27,319 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 10.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 25.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 18.3% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Cincinnati +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 25.8% | Cincinnati + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Cincinnati +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Cincinnati +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 40.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 20.8% | Cincinnati + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 20.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.3% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 50.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 45.9 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 24.4 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cincinnati leads in median household income at $51,707, 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 319 in Cincinnati. Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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