Hartford CT vs Richmond CA — 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%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
Richmond
115,396
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Richmond
37.6
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Hartford
26.4%
Hartford +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Richmond
17.3%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 115,396 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.6 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 26.4% | 21.4% | Hartford + |
| Black | 36.1% | 17.3% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Richmond
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Richmond
7.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Richmond
32.6%
Richmond +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $90,038 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $41,898 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $77,230 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 7.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 13.7% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 32.6% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Richmond
$608,357
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $608,357 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 52.5% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Richmond
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Richmond
2388
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 503 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2388 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Richmond
12.9%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Richmond
17.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Richmond
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 32.9% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.9% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.9% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 11.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Richmond
58.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 58.5°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 24.9 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 37.7 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, 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 503 in Richmond. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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