Waco TX 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)
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
Waco
141,925
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Waco
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Waco
29.2
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Waco
9.8%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Waco
54.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Waco
20.4%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Waco
2.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Waco
29.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Waco
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Waco, TX | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 54.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 20.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 29.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Waco
$51,468
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Waco
$28,819
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Waco
$63,758
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Waco
4.4%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Waco
24.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Waco
28.6%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Waco, TX | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,468 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $28,819 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 24.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Waterbury
$280,921
Homeownership Rate
Waco
48.9%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Waco, TX | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,465 | $280,921 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waco
442
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Waco
2339
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Waco, TX | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Waco
20.4%
Waterbury
19.1%
Waterbury +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Waco
20.4%
Waterbury
18.5%
Waterbury +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Waco
16.2%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Waco, TX | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 40.5% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.1% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 19.1% | Waterbury + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 18.5% | Waterbury + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.2% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waco
66.6°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Waco
36.4 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Waco, TX | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Waco
55.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Waterbury +
| Metric | Waco, TX | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Waterbury + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Waco
19.7 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Waco, TX | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.7 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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