Washington DC 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)
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
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
Washington
672,079
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Washington
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Washington
34.9
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Washington
13.3%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Washington
39.1%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Washington
43.3%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Washington
4.1%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Washington
11.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Washington
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Washington, DC | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 672,079 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 13.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 39.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 43.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 11.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Washington
$106,287
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Washington
$75,253
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Waterbury
$85,393
Unemployment Rate
Washington
6.5%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Washington
14.5%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Washington
63.6%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Washington, DC | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $106,287 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $75,253 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $101,182 | $85,393 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 14.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 63.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Washington
$580,173
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
Washington
41.1%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Washington, DC | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,173 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Washington
398
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Washington
1999
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Washington, DC | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Washington
24.0%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Washington, DC | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.6% | 40.5% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.8% | 14.1% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 19.1% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 18.5% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 16.2% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Washington
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Washington
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Washington, DC | 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.)
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Washington
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Washington, DC | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Washington
32.8 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Washington, DC | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 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 398 in Washington. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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