Hartford CT vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Rochester
33.5
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 33.5 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 8.3% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 36.1% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 20.0% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Rochester
$46,628
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Rochester
$30,451
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Rochester
$77,425
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Rochester
7.9%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Hartford +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $46,628 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $30,451 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $77,425 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 7.9% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 26.6% | Hartford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Rochester
$241,627
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Rochester
37.2%
Rochester +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $241,627 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 37.2% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 434 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1736 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Hartford +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.3% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.6% | Hartford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $46,628, 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 434 in Rochester. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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