Vallejo CA 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)
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
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
Vallejo
68,141
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Vallejo
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Vallejo
42.1
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Vallejo
46.9%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Vallejo
17.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Vallejo
5.3%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Vallejo
55.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Vallejo
19.3%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Vallejo
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Vallejo, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,141 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 46.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 17.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 55.9% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 19.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Vallejo
$137,194
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Vallejo
$56,020
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Vallejo
$77,230
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Vallejo
5.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Vallejo
7.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Vallejo
45.3%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Vallejo, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,194 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $56,020 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 7.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Vallejo
$523,551
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
Vallejo
67.0%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Vallejo, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $523,551 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 67.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Vallejo
503
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Vallejo
2388
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Vallejo, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Vallejo
31.6%
Vallejo +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Vallejo
13.3%
Vallejo +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Vallejo
16.9%
Vallejo +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Vallejo
9.6%
Vallejo +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Vallejo
13.8%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Vallejo
12.0%
Vallejo +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Vallejo, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.6% | 40.5% | Vallejo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.1% | Vallejo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 19.1% | Vallejo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 18.5% | Vallejo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.2% | Vallejo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Vallejo
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Vallejo
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Vallejo, CA | 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.)
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Vallejo
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Vallejo, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Vallejo
36.0 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Vallejo, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.0 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 503 in Vallejo. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vallejo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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