Hartford CT vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.6 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 19.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 36.1% | 21.3% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 26.2% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Tampa
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $65,328 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $376,530 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Tampa
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 324 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 73.4°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 46.3 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 26.8 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, 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 324 in Tampa. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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