Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Hartford
33.4
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 119,970 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 33.4 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 59.2% | 26.4% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.3% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Gainesville +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Gainesville +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Hartford
25.5%
Hartford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $45,300 | Gainesville + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $27,319 | Gainesville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 10.6% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 25.5% | Hartford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 18.3% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Gainesville +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 25.8% | Gainesville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Hartford
1524
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1524 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Hartford
20.8%
Hartford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 40.4% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 15.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 20.8% | Hartford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 20.3% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.3% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 50.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 45.9 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Hartford
24.4 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 24.4 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gainesville leads in median household income at $45,611, 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 324 in Gainesville. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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