Hartford CT vs Spokane Valley WA — 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 105,460 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.6 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 5.1% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 36.1% | 1.4% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.7% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 7.5% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Spokane Valley +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Spokane Valley
24.8%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $35,235 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $76,120 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 5.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 24.8% | Spokane Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $414,734 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Spokane Valley
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 383 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 3409 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 17.2% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, 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 383 in Spokane Valley. Spokane Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
Compare More Cities
Hartford, CT vs New York, NYHartford, CT vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Hartford, CTHartford, CT vs Houston, TXHartford, CT vs Phoenix, AZHartford, CT vs Philadelphia, PA