Hartford CT vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Lakewood
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 156,309 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 38.0 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 8.5% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 36.1% | 1.4% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 22.4% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Lakewood
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $76,653 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $575,076 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 512 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 3234 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 19.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 51.4°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 28.6 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, 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 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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