Hartford CT vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.2 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 11.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 36.1% | 14.4% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 9.2% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $52,606 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $332,727 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Lexington
223
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 223 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 55.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 45.2 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, 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 223 in Lexington. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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