Hartford CT vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Manchester
14.8%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Manchester
13.5%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 115,415 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.9 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 14.8% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 36.1% | 5.3% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 13.5% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Manchester
$75,331
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $75,331 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 33.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $441,257 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 49.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.4% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 44.6 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 25.7 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 156 in Hartford. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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