Hartford CT vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Hartford
26.4%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 39.3 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 26.4% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 36.1% | 9.0% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 16.2% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $63,758 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $507,575 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 442 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2339 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.4% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Plano, TX | 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
Hartford +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 27.6 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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