Hartford CT vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Indianapolis
34.1
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Indianapolis
11.6%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Indianapolis
28.1%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Indianapolis
13.3%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.1 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 11.6% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 53.6% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 36.1% | 28.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 13.3% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $62,995 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $36,194 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $58,697 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 34.2% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Indianapolis
$232,133
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $232,133 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 55.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Indianapolis
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Indianapolis
1719
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 370 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1719 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 41.8 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 25.8 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, 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 370 in Indianapolis. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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