Hartford CT vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Portland
12.4%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 38.6 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 12.4% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 36.1% | 5.8% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 11.3% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $63,691 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $538,687 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 355 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 3001 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 17.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 51.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 78.3 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 26.5 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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