Hartford CT vs Irvine CA — 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%
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Irvine
33.9
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Hartford
26.4%
Irvine
38.7%
Irvine +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Irvine
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 308,160 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 33.9 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 26.4% | 38.7% | Irvine + |
| Black | 36.1% | 2.0% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 11.3% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Irvine
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $62,149 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $77,230 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 5.5% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 11.7% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Irvine
43.8%
Irvine +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $1,566,872 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 43.8% | Irvine + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Irvine
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Irvine
2388
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 503 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2388 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Irvine
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 15.4% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.2% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Irvine
65.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 65.3°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 14.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
Irvine
26.0 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 26.0 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 Irvine. Irvine has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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