Hartford CT vs Spokane 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, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.2 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 6.1% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 36.1% | 2.7% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 7.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Spokane
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $76,120 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $400,636 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Spokane, 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
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 17.5% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, 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. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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