Rochester 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)
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Rochester
41.5%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 41.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 37.5% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Waterbury
$280,921
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $280,921 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Rochester, 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
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Waterbury
14.1%
Waterbury +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Waterbury
16.2%
Waterbury +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 40.5% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.1% | Waterbury + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.1% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 18.5% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 16.2% | Waterbury + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, 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
Rochester
20.6 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Rochester, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Rochester, NYChicago, IL vs Rochester, NYHouston, TX vs Rochester, NYPhoenix, AZ vs Rochester, NYPhiladelphia, PA vs Rochester, NY