Hartford CT vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 98,677 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 38.0 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 7.5% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 36.1% | 29.0% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 8.6% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Roanoke
$52,671
Roanoke +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Roanoke
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $52,671 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $69,581 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $279,668 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Roanoke
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Roanoke
1726
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 240 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1726 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Hartford +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Roanoke
14.9%
Roanoke +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Hartford +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 41.9% | Hartford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.9% | Roanoke + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.7% | Hartford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 56.0°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roanoke leads in median household income at $52,671, 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 240 in Roanoke. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hartford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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