Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 49.4% | N/A | - |
| Black | 38.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Waterbury
$280,921
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $280,921 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Waterbury
14.1%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Waterbury
19.1%
Waterbury +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 40.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.1% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.1% | Waterbury + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 18.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.2% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Waterbury +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Waterbury + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cincinnati. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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