Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Hartford, CT
VS
Nashville-Davidson, TN
🏆 Nashville-Davidson leads 13 of 22 categories
Hartford
Connecticut
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$41,841
Violent Crime Index
136⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
121,057
Nashville-Davidson
Tennessee
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4
Median Household Income
$71,328 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
296⚠ High
Population
684,103 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Hartford, CT
Pros
Homes cost $153k less ($198,900 vs $351,400)
54% less violent crime than Nashville-Davidson
Rent averages $238/mo less ($1,154 vs $1,392)
Cons
Median income trails Nashville-Davidson by $29,487/yr
Violent crime (515.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2845.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (10.6% vs 4.6%)
Nashville-Davidson, TN
Pros
Households earn $29,487 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 6.0 pts lower (4.6%)
More college-educated — 45.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 37°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $351,400
Violent crime (1124.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,392/mo
Property crime (4509.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Hartford
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 96.1 vs 97.4 (100 = US avg)
Hartford
Violent Crime
54% lower
515.8 vs 1124.1 per 100k
Hartford
Median Home Value
$153k less
$198,900 vs $351,400
Nashville-Davidson
Median Income
$29,487
$71,328 vs $41,841/yr
Nashville-Davidson
Unemployment
6.0 pp lower
4.6% vs 10.6% unemployment
Nashville-Davidson
Summer Heat
4.7°F warmer
July avg high 89.3°F vs 84.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Nashville-Davidson, TN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 96.1 ✓ Cheaper | 97.4 |
| Median Home Value | $198,900 ✓ Lower | $351,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,154 ✓ Lower | $1,392⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $41,841 | $71,328 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6%⚠ High | 4.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.1 min ✓ Shorter | 24.8 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.3% | 15.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 263⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 296⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 215⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (80) | A- (110) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.3:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 17.5% | 45.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 74.7% | 90.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hartford School District | Davidson County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.8°F | 48.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.6°F | 89.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 42.8" ✓ Drier | 54.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 51.7" | 4.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 121,057 | 684,103 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 34.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.6% | 53.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.1% ✓ More | 20.3% |
| Over 65 | 11.3% | 12.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Hartford's cost of living index is 96.1 vs Nashville-Davidson's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Hartford is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Nashville-Davidson leads 13 of 22 categories. Hartford wins 9 and Nashville-Davidson wins 13. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Hartford to Nashville-Davidson or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($198,900 vs $351,400 median home), income ($41,841 vs $71,328), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Hartford, CT and Nashville-Davidson, TN are about 849 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.