Hartford CT vs New Orleans LA — 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%
New Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Hartford
26.4%
New Orleans
31.6%
New Orleans +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 38.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 6.6% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 31.6% | New Orleans + |
| Black | 36.1% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 7.9% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
New Orleans
$55,339
New Orleans +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
New Orleans
7.8%
New Orleans +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
New Orleans
22.6%
New Orleans +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $55,339 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $55,297 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 7.8% | New Orleans + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 22.6% | New Orleans + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
New Orleans
$245,988
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $245,988 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Hartford, CT | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 643 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2824 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
New Orleans
15.1%
New Orleans +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.1% | New Orleans + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 19.4% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 19.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.5% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Hartford, CT | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 66.6 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 24.6 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans leads in median household income at $55,339, 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 643 in New Orleans. New Orleans has a lower unemployment rate at 7.8%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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