Spokane WA 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)
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
Spokane
229,228
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Spokane
37.2
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Spokane
6.1%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Spokane
81.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Spokane
2.7%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Spokane
2.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Spokane
7.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Spokane
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 81.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 2.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.9% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 7.8% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane
$65,745
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Spokane
$38,200
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane
$76,120
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Spokane
6.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Spokane
14.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane
32.6%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,745 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $38,200 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane
$400,636
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
Spokane
58.3%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $400,636 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
383
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
3409
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane
17.5%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 40.5% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 14.1% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.1% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 18.5% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.2% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
46.1°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
17.1 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Spokane
22.6 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 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 383 in Spokane. Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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