Fullerton 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)
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
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
Fullerton
141,278
Fullerton +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fullerton
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Fullerton
36.1
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
Hartford
23.0%
White
Fullerton
43.0%
Fullerton +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Fullerton
2.1%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Fullerton
39.6%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Fullerton
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 119,970 | Fullerton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 28.9% | 23.0% | Fullerton + |
| White | 43.0% | 26.4% | Fullerton + |
| Black | 2.1% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 24.5% | 2.3% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 39.6% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fullerton
$104,219
Fullerton +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Fullerton
$48,061
Fullerton +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fullerton
$77,230
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Fullerton
6.5%
Fullerton +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Fullerton
12.2%
Fullerton +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fullerton
43.6%
Fullerton +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,219 | $45,300 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,061 | $27,319 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 10.6% | Fullerton + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 25.5% | Fullerton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 18.3% | Fullerton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Fullerton
51.5%
Fullerton +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,047,700 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 25.8% | Fullerton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
503
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
2388
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Fullerton, 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
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.9%
Fullerton +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fullerton
16.8%
Fullerton +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.2%
Fullerton +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
15.0%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.9% | 40.4% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 15.8% | Fullerton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 20.8% | Fullerton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 20.3% | Fullerton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 16.3% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
65.1°F
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
13.9 in
Fullerton +
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.1°F | 50.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.9 in | 45.9 in | Fullerton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fullerton
75.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fullerton, 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
Fullerton
32.5 min
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 24.4 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fullerton leads in median household income at $104,219, 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 Fullerton. Fullerton has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
Compare More Cities
Fullerton, CA vs New York, NYFullerton, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fullerton, CAFullerton, CA vs Houston, TXFullerton, CA vs Phoenix, AZFullerton, CA vs Philadelphia, PA