Springfield MA 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, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
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
154,751
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.7
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Springfield
10.2%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Springfield
40.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Springfield
20.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Springfield
2.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Springfield
47.4%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,751 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 40.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 20.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 47.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$51,339
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$27,054
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Waterbury
$85,393
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
8.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Springfield
25.3%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
19.7%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,339 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $27,054 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $85,393 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 25.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$298,985
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
49.5%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $298,985 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
326
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
Waterbury
1524
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1524 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
39.6%
Springfield +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.8%
Waterbury
14.1%
Waterbury +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
21.1%
Waterbury
19.1%
Waterbury +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
13.7%
Springfield +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.1%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.5%
Waterbury
16.2%
Waterbury +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 40.5% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.1% | Waterbury + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 19.1% | Waterbury + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 18.5% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.2% | Waterbury + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | 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.)
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
22.6 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | 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 326 in Springfield. Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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