Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Hartford, CT
VS
Wilmington, NC
🏆 Wilmington leads 14 of 23 categories
Hartford
Connecticut
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$41,841
Violent Crime Index
136⚠ High
Population
121,057 ✓ Larger
Wilmington
North Carolina
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.1
Median Household Income
$58,908 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
127⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
116,933
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Hartford, CT
Pros
Homes cost $120k less ($198,900 vs $318,600)
Cooler summers — July highs near 85°F vs 90°F
Cons
Median income trails Wilmington by $17,067/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 4.9%)
Wilmington, NC
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 5.7 pts lower (4.9%)
Households earn $17,067 more per year on average
6% less violent crime than Hartford
More college-educated — 43.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 37°F
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $318,600
Violent crime (482.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3514.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Hartford
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 96.1 vs 97.1 (100 = US avg)
Hartford
Median Home Value
$120k less
$198,900 vs $318,600
Wilmington
Median Income
$17,067
$58,908 vs $41,841/yr
Wilmington
Violent Crime
6% lower
482.8 vs 515.8 per 100k
Wilmington
Unemployment
5.7 pp lower
4.9% vs 10.6% unemployment
Wilmington
Summer Heat
5.4°F warmer
July avg high 90.0°F vs 84.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Wilmington, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 96.1 ✓ Cheaper | 97.1 |
| Median Home Value | $198,900 ✓ Lower | $318,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,154 ✓ Lower | $1,213 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $41,841 | $58,908 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6%⚠ High | 4.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.1 min | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.3% | 14.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 143⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 136⚠ High | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 167⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (80) | B+ (109) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.3:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 17.5% | 43.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 74.7% | 93.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hartford School District | New Hanover County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.8°F | 57.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.6°F | 90.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 42.8" ✓ Drier | 60.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 51.7" | 0.9" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 121,057 ✓ Larger | 116,933 |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 37.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.6% | 45.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.1% ✓ More | 16.8% |
| Over 65 | 11.3% | 17.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Hartford's cost of living index is 96.1 vs Wilmington's 97.1 (US average = 100).
Hartford is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Wilmington leads 14 of 23 categories. Hartford wins 9 and Wilmington wins 14. 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 Wilmington or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($198,900 vs $318,600 median home), income ($41,841 vs $58,908), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Hartford, CT and Wilmington, NC are about 594 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.