Fresno 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Hartford
33.4
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Fresno
38.0%
Fresno +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Hartford
44.8%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 119,970 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.4 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 38.0% | 26.4% | Fresno + |
| Black | 6.7% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 2.3% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 44.8% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Fresno +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Fresno +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Fresno +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Fresno +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $45,300 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $27,319 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 10.6% | Fresno + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 25.5% | Fresno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 18.3% | Fresno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 25.8% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Fresno, 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
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Fresno +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Fresno +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 40.4% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 15.8% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.8% | Fresno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 20.3% | Fresno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 16.3% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 50.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 45.9 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, 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
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Hartford
24.4 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 24.4 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 Fresno. Fresno has a lower unemployment rate at 8.6%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fresno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
Compare More Cities
Fresno, CA vs New York, NYFresno, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fresno, CAFresno, CA vs Houston, TXFresno, CA vs Phoenix, AZFresno, CA vs Philadelphia, PA