Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
White
Grand Island
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | N/A | - |
| White | N/A | N/A | - |
| Black | N/A | N/A | - |
| Asian | N/A | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Waterbury
$280,921
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $280,921 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Waterbury
40.5%
Waterbury +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Grand Island +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Grand Island +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Grand Island +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 40.5% | Waterbury + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 14.1% | Grand Island + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 19.1% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 18.5% | Grand Island + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 16.2% | Grand Island + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Grand Island. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waterbury scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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