Virginia Beach VA 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)
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
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
Virginia Beach
457,066
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Virginia Beach
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Virginia Beach
37.4
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Virginia Beach
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 61.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 18.9% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 7.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,685 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $47,372 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,121 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
240
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
1726
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 40.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 19.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 18.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.2% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Virginia Beach
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Virginia Beach
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | 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.)
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 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 240 in Virginia Beach. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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