Hartford CT vs Mobile AL — 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%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Mobile
39.9%
Mobile +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 185,097 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.7 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 3.8% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 39.9% | Mobile + |
| Black | 36.1% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.1% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 3.1% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Mobile
$51,090
Mobile +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $51,090 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $32,893 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $51,690 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 5.9% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 51.4% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Mobile
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Mobile
1734
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 400 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1734 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Mobile
40.0%
Mobile +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Hartford +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 40.0% | Mobile + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.0% | Hartford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.9% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 67.4°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 65.3 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 24.5 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mobile leads in median household income at $51,090, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mobile scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
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