Roanoke VA 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)
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
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
Roanoke
98,677
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | N/A | - |
| White | 57.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 29.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Waterbury
$280,921
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $280,921 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Waterbury
40.5%
Waterbury +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Waterbury
14.1%
Waterbury +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Waterbury
16.2%
Waterbury +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 40.5% | Waterbury + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.1% | Waterbury + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 19.1% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 18.5% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Waterbury + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Roanoke. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waterbury scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Roanoke, VALos Angeles, CA vs Roanoke, VAChicago, IL vs Roanoke, VAHouston, TX vs Roanoke, VAPhoenix, AZ vs Roanoke, VAPhiladelphia, PA vs Roanoke, VA