Hartford CT vs Houston TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Houston
34.3
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Hartford
26.4%
Houston
35.5%
Houston +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Houston
22.9%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Houston
44.1%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.3 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 26.4% | 35.5% | Houston + |
| Black | 36.1% | 22.9% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 44.1% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Houston
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $62,894 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $63,758 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 6.7% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 19.7% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Houston
$265,062
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Houston
42.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $265,062 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 42.0% | Houston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 442 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2339 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Hartford +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 38.0% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.9% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 24.0% | Hartford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 48.7 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
Houston
55.0%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 29.6 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, 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 442 in Houston. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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