Hartford CT vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.1 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 14.6% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 36.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 36.1% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 15.2% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Philadelphia
8.4%
Philadelphia +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $65,080 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 8.4% | Philadelphia + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 22.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $233,814 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 319 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1613 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 57.1°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 48.5 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 34.5 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, 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 319 in Philadelphia. Philadelphia has a lower unemployment rate at 8.4%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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 San Antonio, TX