Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Durham
44.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Durham
34.4%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 44.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 34.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 40.5% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 14.1% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.1% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 18.5% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 16.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 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 398 in Durham. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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