Hartford CT vs Milwaukee WI — 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Milwaukee
36.5%
Milwaukee +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Milwaukee
20.7%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 10.8% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 36.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Black | 36.1% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 20.7% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Milwaukee
$51,888
Milwaukee +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Milwaukee
$29,679
Milwaukee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Milwaukee
23.3%
Milwaukee +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $51,888 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $29,679 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $61,837 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 23.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 26.6% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Milwaukee
$226,456
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Milwaukee
41.5%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $226,456 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 41.5% | Milwaukee + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Milwaukee
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 309 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Hartford +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Milwaukee
14.7%
Milwaukee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Hartford +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 41.8% | Hartford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 19.1% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 14.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.3% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.3% | Hartford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Milwaukee leads in median household income at $51,888, 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 309 in Milwaukee. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hartford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
Compare More Cities
Hartford, CT vs New York, NYHartford, CT vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Hartford, CTHartford, CT vs Houston, TXHartford, CT vs Phoenix, AZHartford, CT vs Philadelphia, PA