Hartford CT vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Pittsburgh
33.5
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 33.5 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 9.3% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 36.1% | 22.5% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 4.2% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $65,080 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $240,538 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 47.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Pittsburgh
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Pittsburgh
1613
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Pittsburgh, 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%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 51.8°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 25.0 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, 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 Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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