CostIndexUSA

Waterbury, CT vs Wichita, KS Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CT
Waterbury
99.8
overall index
$1,325/mo rent
More AffordableKS
Wichita
88.9
overall index
$1,150/mo rent

Wichita is moderately cheaper than Waterbury — 10.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Waterbury, you would need $71,300 in Wichita. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing25.7%
Waterbury
89.1
Wichita
66.2
🛒 Groceries3.4%
Waterbury
97.3
Wichita
94
🚗 Transportation8.6%
Waterbury
107.8
Wichita
98.5
🏥 Healthcare8.6%
Waterbury
97.5
Wichita
89.1
Utilities40.0%
Waterbury
147.6
Wichita
88.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Wichita, KS
$71,300
$8,700 less needed in Wichita

Formula: salary × (88.9 ÷ 99.8) = salary × 0.8908. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Waterbury, CT

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

Wichita, KS

Median Home Price
$213,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,150
Housing Index
66.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.4×

Waterbury has 25.7% lower housing costs compared to Wichita.

Income & Job Market

Waterbury, CT

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

Wichita, KS

Median Household Income
$67,400
Per Capita Income
$38,400
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
397,532
Top Industries
AerospaceManufacturingHealthcareAgricultureEnergy

Affordability at a Glance

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

Waterbury, CT
5.1×income-to-rent ratio

80% of income left after rent (median)

Wichita, KS
4.9×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.