Hartford CT vs Renton WA — 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%

Renton, WA

Washington · Population: 75,721

  • Median HH Income$162,099
  • Median Home Price$765,686
  • Unemployment4.1%
  • Bachelor's+74.7%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Hartford
26.4%
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Renton
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Renton
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Renton
45.2%
Renton +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Renton
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Renton
3409

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
Renton
25.4 min

Which City is Right for You?

Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, 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 383 in Renton. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.

Compare More Cities

About Hartford & Renton