Reno NV 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)

Reno, NV

Nevada · Population: 268,959

  • Median HH Income$78,448
  • Median Home Price$570,934
  • Unemployment5.0%
  • Bachelor's+35.7%

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
Reno
268,959
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Reno
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Reno
37.3
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Reno
16.1%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Reno
63.5%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Reno
3.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Reno
7.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Reno
24.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Reno
N/A
Waterbury
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Reno
$78,448
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Reno
$45,180
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Reno
$62,696
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Reno
5.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Reno
12.5%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Reno
35.7%
Waterbury
N/A

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Reno
$570,934
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
Reno
49.4%
Waterbury
N/A

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
460
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
2417
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Reno
18.9%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
Waterbury
16.2%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
53.0°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
8.3 in
Waterbury
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Reno
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Reno
22.3 min
Waterbury
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 460 in Reno. Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.

Compare More Cities

About Reno & Waterbury