Surprise AZ 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)
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
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
Surprise
149,519
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Surprise
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Surprise
41.6
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Surprise
6.8%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Surprise
75.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Surprise
4.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Surprise
2.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Surprise
19.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Surprise
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.6 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 75.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 4.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Surprise
$93,371
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Surprise
$39,604
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Surprise
$59,120
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Surprise
4.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Surprise
7.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Surprise
31.0%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,371 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $39,604 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.0% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Surprise
$422,520
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
Surprise
79.0%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,520 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
450
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
2150
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Surprise
14.9%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.4% | 40.5% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.1% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 19.1% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 18.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 16.2% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | 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.)
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Surprise
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Surprise
32.8 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 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 450 in Surprise. Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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