San Diego CA 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)
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
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
San Diego
1,385,061
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
Waterbury
N/A
White
San Diego
50.4%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
San Diego
5.7%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 50.4% | N/A | - |
| Black | 5.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 40.5% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.1% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 19.1% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 18.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 16.2% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Diego
25.9 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 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 503 in San Diego. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs San Diego, CALos Angeles, CA vs San Diego, CAChicago, IL vs San Diego, CAHouston, TX vs San Diego, CAPhoenix, AZ vs San Diego, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs San Diego, CA