Hartford CT vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Hartford
26.4%
Hartford +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 26.4% | 21.8% | Hartford + |
| Black | 36.1% | 1.4% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Salinas
$28,813
Salinas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Salinas
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Hartford +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $28,813 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $77,230 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 15.5% | Hartford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $751,711 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Salinas, 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%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Hartford +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 22.4% | Hartford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.8% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 57.3°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Salinas, 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 +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 28.8 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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