Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Hartford
26.4%
Hartford +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Hartford
36.1%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 119,970 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 11.7% | 26.4% | Hartford + |
| Black | 76.8% | 36.1% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.3% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Hartford
$45,300
Hartford +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Hartford
$27,319
Hartford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Hartford
10.6%
Hartford +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Hartford
25.5%
Hartford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Hartford
18.3%
Hartford +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $45,300 | Hartford + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $27,319 | Hartford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 10.6% | Hartford + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 25.5% | Hartford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 18.3% | Hartford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Hartford
$199,359
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $199,359 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 25.8% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Hartford
40.4%
Hartford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Hartford
15.8%
Hartford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Hartford
20.8%
Hartford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Hartford
13.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Hartford
16.3%
Hartford +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 40.4% | Hartford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 15.8% | Hartford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 20.8% | Hartford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 20.3% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.7% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 16.3% | Hartford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Hartford
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 50.6°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 45.9 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 24.4 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hartford leads in median household income at $45,300, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Hartford has a lower unemployment rate at 10.6%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hartford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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