Hartford CT vs Palmdale 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Palmdale
17.2%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Palmdale
24.3%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 44,998 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 57.8 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 17.2% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 36.1% | 5.4% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 24.3% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Palmdale
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Palmdale
8.2%
Palmdale +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $77,230 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 8.2% | Palmdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $503,393 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Palmdale, 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%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Palmdale
15.7%
Palmdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Palmdale
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.8% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 15.7% | Palmdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.8% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 63.5°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Palmdale, 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
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, 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 Palmdale. Palmdale has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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