Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Waco, TX
VS
Waterbury, CT
🏆 Waco leads 16 of 23 categories
Waco
Texas
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$47,421
Violent Crime Index
112⚠ High
Population
140,545 ✓ Larger
Waterbury
Connecticut
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.1
Median Household Income
$51,451 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
85 ✓ Safer
Population
114,480
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Waco, TX
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 5.3 pts lower (4.5%)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 37°F
More college-educated — 27.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Rent averages $102/mo less ($1,038 vs $1,140)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.8)
Cons
Median income trails Waterbury by $4,030/yr
Waterbury, CT
Pros
24% less violent crime than Waco
Households earn $4,030 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 95°F
Cons
Property crime (2918.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (9.8% vs 4.5%)
Snowy winters — about 47" of snow per year
Cost of living runs 4% higher than Waco
Key Differences at a Glance
Waco
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 90.8 vs 95.1 (100 = US avg)
Waco
Unemployment
5.3 pp lower
4.5% vs 9.8% unemployment
Waco
Summer Heat
10.5°F warmer
July avg high 94.5°F vs 84.0°F
Waterbury
Median Income
$4,030
$51,451 vs $47,421/yr
Waterbury
Violent Crime
24% lower
322.5 vs 425.9 per 100k
Waterbury
Median Home Value
$11k less
$162,800 vs $174,100
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Waco, TX | Waterbury, CT |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.8 ✓ Cheaper | 95.1 |
| Median Home Value | $174,100 | $162,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,038 ✓ Lower | $1,140 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $47,421 | $51,451 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 9.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 27.6 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.4% ✓ Higher | 6.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 108⚠ High | 107⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High | 85 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 101⚠ High ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) ✓ Better | B- (91) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.3:1 | 12.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 27.9% ✓ Higher | 16.7% |
| High School or Higher | 85.0% ✓ Higher | 81.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | WACO ISD | Waterbury School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.5°F ✓ Warmer | 37.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.5°F ✓ Warmer | 84.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 38.7" ✓ Drier | 52.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 46.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 140,545 ✓ Larger | 114,480 |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 36.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% ✓ Higher | 43.8% |
| Under 18 | 23.2% ✓ More | 22.7% |
| Over 65 | 12.9% | 13.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Waco's cost of living index is 90.8 vs Waterbury's 95.1 (US average = 100).
Waco is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Waco leads 16 of 23 categories. Waco wins 16 and Waterbury wins 7. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Waco to Waterbury or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($174,100 vs $162,800 median home), income ($47,421 vs $51,451), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Waco, TX and Waterbury, CT are about 1,501 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.