Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 36.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 39.9% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 7.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Waterbury
$280,921
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $280,921 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Waterbury
13.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Waterbury +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Waterbury + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Philadelphia. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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