Hartford CT vs Wilmington NC — 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Wilmington
32.4%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.6 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 10.7% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 36.1% | 32.4% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.3% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 17.9% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $59,120 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $419,326 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Wilmington, NC | 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%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 17.5% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 63.8°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 58.4 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, 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 Wilmington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
Compare More Cities
Hartford, CT vs New York, NYHartford, CT vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Hartford, CTHartford, CT vs Houston, TXHartford, CT vs Phoenix, AZHartford, CT vs Philadelphia, PA