Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Waterbury, CT
VS
Worcester, MA
🏆 Waterbury leads 11 of 21 categories
Waterbury
Connecticut
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$51,451
Violent Crime Index
85
Population
114,480
Worcester
Massachusetts
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,011 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
4 ✓ Safer
Population
204,191 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Waterbury, CT
Pros
Homes cost $143k less ($162,800 vs $305,600)
Rent averages $172/mo less ($1,140 vs $1,312)
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Worcester
Cons
Median income trails Worcester by $11,560/yr
Property crime (2918.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (9.8% vs 6.6%)
Snowy winters — about 47" of snow per year
Worcester, MA
Pros
95% less violent crime than Waterbury
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.2 pts lower (6.6%)
Households earn $11,560 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (16.5 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 33.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $305,600
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Waterbury
Snowy winters — about 73" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Waterbury
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 95.1 vs 103.8 (100 = US avg)
Waterbury
Median Home Value
$143k less
$162,800 vs $305,600
Waterbury
Summer Heat
4.2°F warmer
July avg high 84.0°F vs 79.8°F
Worcester
Median Income
$11,560
$63,011 vs $51,451/yr
Worcester
Violent Crime
95% lower
16.5 vs 322.5 per 100k
Worcester
Unemployment
3.2 pp lower
6.6% vs 9.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Waterbury, CT | Worcester, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 95.1 ✓ Cheaper | 103.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $162,800 ✓ Lower | $305,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,140 ✓ Lower | $1,312 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $51,451 | $63,011 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.8%⚠ High | 6.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.6 min | 24.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.1% | 9.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 107⚠ High | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 85 | 4 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 139⚠ High | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (91) | B+ (106) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 16.7% | 33.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.7% | 85.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Waterbury School District | Worcester |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 37.0°F ✓ Warmer | 32.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F ✓ Warmer | 79.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 52.6" | 48.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 46.8" ✓ Less | 72.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,480 | 204,191 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.7 ✓ Older | 34.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% ✓ Higher | 42.1% |
| Under 18 | 22.7% ✓ More | 19.5% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% ✓ More | 13.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Waterbury's cost of living index is 95.1 vs Worcester's 103.8 (US average = 100).
Waterbury is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Waterbury leads 11 of 21 categories. Waterbury wins 11 and Worcester wins 10. 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 Waterbury to Worcester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($162,800 vs $305,600 median home), income ($51,451 vs $63,011), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Waterbury, CT and Worcester, MA are about 80 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.