Hartford CT vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Lafayette
28.6%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 121,537 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.1 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 6.6% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 36.1% | 28.6% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.1% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 7.6% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $61,454 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $55,297 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 19.1% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Lafayette
$225,222
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $225,222 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 643 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2824 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.0% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.4% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 17.8% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.1% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 67.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 61.0 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, 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 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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