New Rochelle NY 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 Rochelle, NY
New York · Population: 48,198
- Median HH Income$48,535
- Median Home Price$920,484
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
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 Rochelle
48,198
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Rochelle
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
New Rochelle
40.7
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
New Rochelle
4.6%
Waterbury
N/A
White
New Rochelle
66.1%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
New Rochelle
17.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
New Rochelle
2.3%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
New Rochelle
8.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
New Rochelle
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,198 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 66.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 17.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Rochelle
$48,535
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
New Rochelle
$30,033
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Rochelle
$77,425
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
New Rochelle
9.7%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
New Rochelle
23.7%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
New Rochelle
22.8%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,535 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $30,033 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 23.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Rochelle
$920,484
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
New Rochelle
57.5%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $920,484 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
434
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
1736
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
26.6%
New Rochelle +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
10.6%
New Rochelle +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Rochelle
13.8%
New Rochelle +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.5%
New Rochelle +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
14.9%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.3%
New Rochelle +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 40.5% | New Rochelle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.1% | New Rochelle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 19.1% | New Rochelle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 18.5% | New Rochelle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 16.2% | New Rochelle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
8.1 µg/m³
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Rochelle
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Rochelle
20.0 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 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 434 in New Rochelle. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Rochelle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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