Hartford CT vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Independence
5.3%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 121,944 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 38.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 5.3% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 36.1% | 10.8% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.4% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 12.4% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Independence
20.9%
Independence +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $59,480 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $31,683 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $58,527 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 20.9% | Independence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Independence
$210,384
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $210,384 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 501 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2418 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Hartford +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 37.3% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 19.9% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.8% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.4% | Hartford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 54.5°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 43.7 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 25.5 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, 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 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
Compare More Cities
Hartford, CT vs New York, NYHartford, CT vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Hartford, CTHartford, CT vs Houston, TXHartford, CT vs Phoenix, AZHartford, CT vs Philadelphia, PA