Hartford CT vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Hartford
26.4%
Hartford +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Newark
37.2%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.8 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 26.4% | 16.5% | Hartford + |
| Black | 36.1% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.9% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 37.2% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Newark
$48,416
Newark +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Hartford +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Newark
$77,416
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Hartford +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Newark
24.7%
Newark +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Hartford +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $48,416 | Newark + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $25,509 | Hartford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $77,416 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 10.9% | Hartford + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 24.7% | Newark + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 17.4% | Hartford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Hartford +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $482,675 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 24.1% | Hartford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Newark
218
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 218 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Newark
14.6%
Newark +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Newark
20.0%
Newark +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Hartford +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Newark
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Hartford +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.6% | Newark + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 20.0% | Newark + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 23.4% | Hartford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.3% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.2% | Hartford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 54.9°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 46.3 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 35.9 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newark leads in median household income at $48,416, 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 218 in Newark. Hartford has a lower unemployment rate at 10.6%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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