Hartford CT vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Phoenix
41.8%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.8 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 19.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 36.1% | 7.8% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 41.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $59,120 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $411,323 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 450 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2150 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Phoenix
17.3%
Phoenix +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 17.3% | Phoenix + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.3% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 72.1°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 27.7 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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