Hartford CT vs New York NY — 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Hartford
26.4%
New York
35.9%
New York +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
New York
22.7%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
New York
28.4%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 38.0 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 26.4% | 35.9% | New York + |
| Black | 36.1% | 22.7% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 28.4% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
New York
$77,425
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
New York
7.7%
New York +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
New York
17.4%
New York +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $77,425 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 7.7% | New York + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 17.4% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
New York
32.8%
New York +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $816,078 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 32.8% | New York + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
New York
1736
| Metric | Hartford, CT | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 434 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1736 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.9% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
New York
55.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Hartford, CT | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 55.4°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 46.6 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 44.2 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 434 in New York. New York has a lower unemployment rate at 7.7%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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