CostIndexUSA

Tacoma, WA vs Waterbury, CT Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WA
Tacoma
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent
More AffordableCT
Waterbury
99.8
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Waterbury is moderately cheaper than Tacoma — 10.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Tacoma, you would need $71,900 in Waterbury. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing41.1%
Tacoma
151.3
Waterbury
89.1
🛒 Groceries6.4%
Tacoma
104
Waterbury
97.3
🚗 Transportation3.9%
Tacoma
112.2
Waterbury
107.8
🏥 Healthcare3.9%
Tacoma
101.5
Waterbury
97.5
Utilities+59.1%
Tacoma
92.8
Waterbury
147.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Waterbury, CT
$71,900
$8,100 less needed in Waterbury

Formula: salary × (99.8 ÷ 111.1) = salary × 0.8983. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Tacoma, WA

Median Home Price
$730,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,175
Housing Index
151.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.0×

Waterbury, CT

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

Tacoma has 41.1% lower housing costs compared to Waterbury.

Income & Job Market

Tacoma, WA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
219,346
Top Industries
MilitaryManufacturingHealthcareLogisticsRetail

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).

Tacoma, WA
4.2×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.