Vancouver 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)
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Vancouver
192,696
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Vancouver
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Vancouver
37.5
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Vancouver
13.6%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Vancouver
70.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Vancouver
3.1%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Vancouver
5.3%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Vancouver
17.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Vancouver
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,696 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 70.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 3.1% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 17.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Vancouver
$78,156
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Vancouver
$42,839
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Vancouver
$76,120
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Vancouver
5.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Vancouver
11.1%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Vancouver
31.5%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,156 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $42,839 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Vancouver
$510,577
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
Vancouver
49.9%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,577 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Vancouver
383
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Vancouver
3409
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Vancouver, 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
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Vancouver
19.1%
Waterbury
19.1%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Vancouver
16.3%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 40.5% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.1% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.1% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 18.5% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.2% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Vancouver
52.1°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Vancouver
41.6 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Vancouver
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Vancouver
25.1 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 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 Vancouver. Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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