Hartford CT vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Washington
13.3%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Washington
39.1%
Washington +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.9 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 13.3% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 39.1% | Washington + |
| Black | 36.1% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 11.6% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Washington
41.1%
Washington +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $580,173 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 41.1% | Washington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 398 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1999 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 24.0% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 32.8 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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