| Index | Waterbury | Connecticut | National |
| Cost of living | 102 | 118 | 100 |
| Groceries | 106 | 106 | 100 |
| Health care | 115 | 111 | 100 |
| Housing | 83 | 139 | 100 |
| Transportation | 106 | 107 | 100 |
| Utilities | 112 | 108 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 112 | 110 | 100 |
| Household Items | 108 | 106 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 121 | 116 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Waterbury? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Waterbury stands at 102, making it 2% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
In Waterbury, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Waterbury will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 6 residents in Waterbury to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 17% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 83% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is Waterbury affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Waterbury, the median home price is 26.2% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 4.4% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Waterbury boasting a median household income of $69,022, 15.1% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Waterbury, the healthcare costs are 14.9% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Waterbury, the transportation index is 5.5% higher than the national average.
The Waterbury cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $102,255 | $8,521 | $2,386 | $3,068 |
| Renters | $47,674 | $3,973 | $1,112 | $1,430 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Connecticut | 6.35% | 6.35% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Connecticut | 3% | 6.99% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Bantam, CT | 618 | 101 | 1.0% |
| New Britain, CT | 74,963 | 104 | 4.4% |
| Meriden, CT | 61,712 | 107 | 6.5% |
| Terryville, CT | 5,203 | 108 | 7.8% |
| Naugatuck, CT | 32,241 | 108 | 7.7% |
| Waterbury, CT | 110,817 | 102 | 2.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Jurupa Valley, CA | 110,862 | 141 | 41.5% |
| Greeley, CO | 110,935 | 117 | 16.9% |
| Sandy Springs, GA | 111,012 | 137 | 37.4% |
| Lewisville, TX | 111,065 | 108 | 8.0% |
| Meridian, ID | 110,487 | 119 | 18.9% |
| Waterbury, CT | 110,817 | 102 | 2.2% |
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