Hartford CT vs Kent WA — 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Kent
35.8
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Kent
14.1%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Kent
31.8%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 84,389 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.8 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 14.1% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 36.1% | 2.3% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.9% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 31.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Kent
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $72,867 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $35,662 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $76,120 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 27.0% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $657,911 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Kent
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 383 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 3409 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Kent
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.2% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Kent
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 53.2°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 39.1 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, 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 383 in Kent. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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