Boise ID vs Waterbury CT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
Waterbury, CT
Connecticut · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$280,921
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Boise
83.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Boise
1.4%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 83.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.4% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Waterbury
1524
| Metric | Boise, ID | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1524 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Waterbury
13.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Waterbury offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $280,921. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Boise. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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