CostIndexUSA

Mesa, AZ vs Waterbury, CT Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AZ
Mesa
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent
More AffordableCT
Waterbury
99.8
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Waterbury is slightly cheaper than Mesa — 3.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Mesa, you would need $77,300 in Waterbury. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing26.5%
Mesa
121.2
Waterbury
89.1
🛒 Groceries+2.4%
Mesa
95
Waterbury
97.3
🚗 Transportation1.3%
Mesa
109.2
Waterbury
107.8
🏥 Healthcare1.3%
Mesa
98.8
Waterbury
97.5
Utilities+58.2%
Mesa
93.3
Waterbury
147.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Waterbury, CT
$77,300
$2,700 less needed in Waterbury

Formula: salary × (99.8 ÷ 103.3) = salary × 0.9661. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Mesa, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Waterbury, CT

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

Mesa has 26.5% lower housing costs compared to Waterbury.

Income & Job Market

Mesa, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
518,012
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareRetailManufacturingAerospace

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).

Mesa, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.