Hartford CT vs Montgomery 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Montgomery
27.7%
Montgomery +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 36.2 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 5.5% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 27.7% | Montgomery + |
| Black | 36.1% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.3% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 4.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $55,687 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $32,068 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $51,690 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 6.5% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 20.9% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Montgomery
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Montgomery
1734
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Montgomery, 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%
Hartford +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Hartford +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 46.4% | Hartford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.7% | Hartford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.3% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 64.5°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 52.8 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Montgomery, 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
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Montgomery leads in median household income at $55,687, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, 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%.
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