San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
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 Francisco
836,321
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Francisco
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
San Francisco
39.7
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
San Francisco
34.2%
Waterbury
N/A
White
San Francisco
40.5%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
San Francisco
5.1%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
San Francisco
35.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
San Francisco
15.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
San Francisco
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 34.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 40.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 5.1% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 35.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 15.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Francisco
$141,446
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
San Francisco
$90,285
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Francisco
$77,230
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
San Francisco
5.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
San Francisco
10.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
San Francisco
60.1%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $141,446 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $90,285 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
San Francisco
38.5%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,369,171 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
503
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
2388
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | San Francisco, 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 Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
19.6%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 40.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 14.1% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 19.1% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 18.5% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 16.2% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
55.3°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
20.7 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Francisco
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Francisco, 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 Francisco
33.9 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 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 Francisco. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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