Hartford CT vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Kansas City
34.0
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Kansas City
18.6%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Kansas City
20.4%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Kansas City
35.0%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 154,776 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.0 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 18.6% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 44.0% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 36.1% | 20.4% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 35.0% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Kansas City
$28,059
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Kansas City
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Kansas City
20.2%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $59,183 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $28,059 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $61,860 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 17.9% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 20.2% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Kansas City
$202,558
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $202,558 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Kansas City
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Kansas City
2174
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 449 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2174 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Hartford +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Kansas City
18.4%
Kansas City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Kansas City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Hartford +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 41.2% | Hartford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.6% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 18.4% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.3% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.3% | Hartford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 38.1 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 23.7 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, 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 449 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hartford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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