Hartford CT vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 71,124 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.0 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 8.3% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 36.1% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.6% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 11.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Wilmington
$55,269
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Wilmington
7.6%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Wilmington
23.2%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $55,269 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $64,087 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 7.6% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 23.2% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Wilmington
46.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $327,117 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 46.0% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 394 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1991 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Hartford +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Hartford +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Wilmington
12.7%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Hartford +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 41.0% | Hartford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.0% | Hartford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 12.7% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.4% | Hartford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Wilmington
54.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 54.4°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 49.3 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Wilmington, DE | 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 +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 25.0 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $55,269, 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 394 in Wilmington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hartford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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