Springfield MO 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
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
Springfield
169,432
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.6
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Springfield
3.8%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Springfield
85.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Springfield
4.3%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Springfield
1.7%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Springfield
5.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 85.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 4.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$45,984
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$30,864
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$58,527
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
4.3%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Springfield
19.4%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
30.3%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,984 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $30,864 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 19.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Waterbury
$280,921
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
42.9%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,279 | $280,921 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
501
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
2418
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
20.0%
Waterbury
19.1%
Waterbury +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.6%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.1%
Waterbury
16.2%
Waterbury +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 40.5% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 19.1% | Waterbury + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 18.5% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.2% | Waterbury + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
56.3°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
45.6 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Waterbury +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Waterbury + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.5 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.5 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,279. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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