CostIndexUSA

Santa Rosa, CA vs Waterbury, CT Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Santa Rosa
107.8
overall index
$2,600/mo rent
More AffordableCT
Waterbury
99.8
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Waterbury is moderately cheaper than Santa Rosa — 7.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Santa Rosa, you would need $74,100 in Waterbury. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing36.2%
Santa Rosa
139.6
Waterbury
89.1
🛒 Groceries7.5%
Santa Rosa
105.2
Waterbury
97.3
🚗 Transportation+2.4%
Santa Rosa
105.3
Waterbury
107.8
🏥 Healthcare+2.3%
Santa Rosa
95.3
Waterbury
97.5
Utilities4.7%
Santa Rosa
154.8
Waterbury
147.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Waterbury, CT
$74,100
$5,900 less needed in Waterbury

Formula: salary × (99.8 ÷ 107.8) = salary × 0.9258. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Santa Rosa, CA

Median Home Price
$770,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,600
Housing Index
139.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.7×

Waterbury, CT

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

Santa Rosa has 36.2% lower housing costs compared to Waterbury.

Income & Job Market

Santa Rosa, CA

Median Household Income
$100,700
Per Capita Income
$57,400
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
178,127
Top Industries
HealthcareAgricultureTourismTechnologyRetail

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).

Santa Rosa, CA
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% 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.