Hartford CT vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Palm Bay
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 125,273 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 41.3 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 15.1% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 36.1% | 19.3% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.1% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 19.7% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Palm Bay
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Palm Bay
22.6%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $34,474 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $65,328 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 22.6% | Palm Bay + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Palm Bay
$304,173
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $304,173 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Palm Bay
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 324 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Palm Bay
14.0%
Palm Bay +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Palm Bay
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 36.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 14.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.4% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.5% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 29.6 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, 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 324 in Palm Bay. Palm Bay has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palm Bay scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
Compare More Cities
Hartford, CT vs New York, NYHartford, CT vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Hartford, CTHartford, CT vs Houston, TXHartford, CT vs Phoenix, AZHartford, CT vs Philadelphia, PA