Hartford CT vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 4.8% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 36.1% | 1.6% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.1% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 9.5% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $57,074 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $534,732 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Meridian
251
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 251 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 17.6% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, 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 251 in Meridian. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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