Hartford CT vs Ontario CA — 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Ontario
138,723
Ontario +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Ontario
36.9
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Ontario
21.0%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Ontario
40.0%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 138,723 | Ontario + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 36.9 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 21.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 53.6% | Ontario + |
| Black | 36.1% | 1.6% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 40.0% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Ontario
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $77,230 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 40.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $671,948 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 58.1% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Ontario
2388
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 503 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2388 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Ontario
17.0%
Ontario +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Ontario
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 33.6% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.8% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 17.0% | Ontario + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 65.5°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 28.2 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, 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 503 in Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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