Hartford CT vs Louisville 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Louisville
23.7%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Louisville
2.6%
Louisville +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.7 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 9.8% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 36.1% | 23.7% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.6% | Louisville + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 8.6% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $64,731 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $52,606 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 33.4% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Louisville
$264,957
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $264,957 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Louisville
223
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 223 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Louisville, 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
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 43.3 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Louisville, 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
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 24.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, 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 Louisville. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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