CostIndexUSA

Denver, CO vs Waterbury, CT Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Denver
105.8
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableCT
Waterbury
99.8
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Waterbury is moderately cheaper than Denver — 5.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Denver, you would need $75,500 in Waterbury. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing39.3%
Denver
146.9
Waterbury
89.1
🛒 Groceries3.7%
Denver
101
Waterbury
97.3
🚗 Transportation+3.3%
Denver
104.4
Waterbury
107.8
🏥 Healthcare+3.2%
Denver
94.5
Waterbury
97.5
Utilities+67.9%
Denver
87.9
Waterbury
147.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Denver to see what you'd need to earn in Waterbury to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Waterbury, CT
$75,500
$4,500 less needed in Waterbury

Formula: salary × (99.8 ÷ 105.8) = salary × 0.9433. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Denver, CO

Median Home Price
$559,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
146.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.2×

Waterbury, CT

Median Home Price
$420,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,325
Housing Index
89.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.4×

Denver has 39.3% lower housing costs compared to Waterbury.

Income & Job Market

Denver, CO

Median Household Income
$103,100
Per Capita Income
$58,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
715,522
Top Industries
TechnologyAerospaceEnergyHealthcareTourism

Waterbury, CT

Median Household Income
$81,300
Per Capita Income
$46,300
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
Population
114,403
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingFinanceEducationGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Denver, CO
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Waterbury, CT
5.1×income-to-rent ratio

80% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.