Hartford CT vs Vancouver 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%

Vancouver, WA

Washington · Population: 192,696

  • Median HH Income$78,156
  • Median Home Price$510,577
  • Unemployment5.6%
  • Bachelor's+31.5%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Hartford
119,970
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Vancouver
13.6%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Vancouver
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Vancouver
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Vancouver
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Vancouver
3409

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Vancouver
19.1%
Vancouver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Vancouver
41.6 in
Vancouver +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
Vancouver
25.1 min

Which City is Right for You?

Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, 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 Vancouver. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.

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About Hartford & Vancouver