Santa Clarita 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)
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
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
Santa Clarita
229,021
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Clarita
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Santa Clarita
38.1
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Santa Clarita
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 21.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 53.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 4.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 11.4% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 36.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,926 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $49,571 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $802,780 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
503
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
2388
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Santa Clarita, 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
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.7% | 40.5% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 14.1% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.1% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 18.5% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 16.2% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Clarita
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Clarita
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Clarita, 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
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.4 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 Santa Clarita. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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