Tempe 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)
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
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
Tempe
186,419
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tempe
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Tempe
29.9
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Tempe
13.9%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Tempe
60.1%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Tempe
7.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Tempe
9.5%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Tempe
23.1%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Tempe
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 60.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 7.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 9.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 23.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tempe
$77,643
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Tempe
$42,371
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tempe
$59,120
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Tempe
5.7%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Tempe
16.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Tempe
49.5%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,643 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $42,371 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tempe
$468,328
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
Tempe
41.6%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $468,328 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
450
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
2150
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Tempe, 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
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tempe
18.3%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 40.5% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 14.1% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 19.1% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 18.5% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
71.3°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
9.3 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tempe
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tempe
23.2 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 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 Tempe. Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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