Hartford CT vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hartford
119,970
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Hartford
26.4%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.1 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 26.4% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 36.1% | 12.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 24.9% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $435,532 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 326 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Worcester
19.9%
Worcester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 19.9% | Worcester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 17.1% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 48.1 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 27.3 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, 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 326 in Worcester. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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