Springfield IL 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)
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
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
Springfield
113,714
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
40.7
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Springfield
4.5%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Springfield
70.5%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Springfield
19.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Springfield
2.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Springfield
3.4%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 4.5% | N/A | - |
| White | 70.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 19.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.9% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 3.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$65,537
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$41,110
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$68,110
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
6.7%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Springfield
16.5%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
35.1%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,537 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $41,110 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Waterbury
$280,921
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
63.4%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $168,312 | $280,921 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
344
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1842
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
41.1%
Waterbury
40.5%
Waterbury +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
16.7%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 40.5% | Waterbury + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 19.1% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 18.5% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.2% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
37.7 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Waterbury +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Waterbury + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.4 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Springfield. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waterbury scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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