Hartford CT vs Salem 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Salem
12.2%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.7 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 12.2% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 36.1% | 1.6% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 23.4% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $63,691 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $438,754 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Salem, 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%
Hartford +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 41.4% | Hartford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.2% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 53.0°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Salem, 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 +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 24.5 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, 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 Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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