Hartford CT vs West Palm Beach 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Hartford
26.4%
West Palm Beach
44.0%
West Palm Beach +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
West Palm Beach
31.5%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
West Palm Beach
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 119,508 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 40.2 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 26.4% | 44.0% | West Palm Beach + |
| Black | 36.1% | 31.5% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 24.6% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $65,328 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $399,650 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
West Palm Beach
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 324 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
West Palm Beach
13.7%
West Palm Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
West Palm Beach
16.9%
West Palm Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.7% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 16.9% | West Palm Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Hartford, CT | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 75.4°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 62.3 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 25.0 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, 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 West Palm Beach. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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