Hartford CT vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Tucson
42.7%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.6 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 36.1% | 5.0% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 42.7% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Tucson
$54,546
Tucson +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Tucson
$31,152
Tucson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $54,546 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $31,152 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $59,120 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $324,946 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tucson, 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%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Tucson
15.7%
Tucson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 15.7% | Tucson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.6% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 69.8°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tucson leads in median household income at $54,546, 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 Tucson. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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