Tampa FL 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)
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
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
Tampa
393,389
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tampa
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Tampa
35.6
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Tampa
19.0%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Tampa
51.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Tampa
21.3%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Tampa
4.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Tampa
26.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Tampa
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 51.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 21.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 26.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tampa
$71,302
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Tampa
$49,513
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tampa
$65,328
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Tampa
4.7%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Tampa
15.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Tampa
44.6%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,302 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $49,513 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 15.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tampa
$376,530
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
Tampa
50.2%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $376,530 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tampa
324
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
Waterbury
1524
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1524 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tampa
16.7%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 40.5% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 14.1% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.1% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 18.5% | Tampa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 16.2% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tampa
73.4°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tampa
46.3 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tampa
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tampa
26.8 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 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 324 in Tampa. Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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