Hartford CT vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 13.9% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 36.1% | 7.8% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 23.1% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $59,120 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Tempe
41.6%
Tempe +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $468,328 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 41.6% | Tempe + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 450 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2150 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 18.3% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 71.3°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 450 in Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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