Hartford CT vs Lancaster 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Lancaster
34.2
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Lancaster
35.5%
Lancaster +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.2 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 13.9% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 35.5% | Lancaster + |
| Black | 36.1% | 21.4% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Lancaster
$29,766
Lancaster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Lancaster
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Lancaster
20.1%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $29,766 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $77,230 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 7.1% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 20.1% | Lancaster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $466,147 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lancaster, 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%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Lancaster
19.3%
Lancaster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 19.3% | Lancaster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 12.9% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.8% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.0% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 62.1°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lancaster, 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 +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 33.0 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 Lancaster. Lancaster has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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