Tacoma 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)
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Tacoma
220,482
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tacoma
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Tacoma
37.3
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Tacoma
12.2%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Tacoma
59.4%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Tacoma
10.5%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Tacoma
8.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Tacoma
13.1%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Tacoma
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 59.4% | N/A | - |
| Black | 10.5% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 8.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 13.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tacoma
$83,857
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Tacoma
$44,756
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tacoma
$76,120
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Tacoma
5.3%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Tacoma
12.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Tacoma
33.5%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,857 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $44,756 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tacoma
$496,966
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
Tacoma
56.5%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $496,966 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
383
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
3409
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Tacoma, 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
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
16.8%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 40.5% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 14.1% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 19.1% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 18.5% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.2% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
53.5°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
39.2 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tacoma
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tacoma
31.1 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 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 Tacoma. Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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