New Haven CT 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)
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
New Haven
132,893
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
Waterbury
N/A
White
New Haven
36.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
New Haven
30.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 36.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 30.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
Waterbury
$85,393
Tie
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $85,393 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
Waterbury
156
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
Waterbury
1524
Tie
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 156 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1524 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
New Haven +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
New Haven +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
New Haven +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 40.5% | New Haven + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.1% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 19.1% | New Haven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 18.5% | New Haven + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.2% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Haven, CT | 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
New Haven
23.0 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 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 156 in New Haven. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Haven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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