Newark NJ 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)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
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
Newark
307,188
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Newark
16.5%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Newark
46.7%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 46.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.9% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Waterbury
1524
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1524 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Waterbury
14.1%
Waterbury +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Waterbury
19.1%
Waterbury +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Waterbury
18.5%
Waterbury +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Waterbury
16.2%
Waterbury +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 40.5% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.1% | Waterbury + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 19.1% | Waterbury + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 18.5% | Waterbury + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 16.2% | Waterbury + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | 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
Newark
35.9 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 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 218 in Newark. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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