CostIndexUSA

Newark, NJ vs Waterbury, CT Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NJ
Newark
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent
More AffordableCT
Waterbury
99.8
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Waterbury is moderately cheaper than Newark — 11.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Newark, you would need $70,900 in Waterbury. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing40.0%
Newark
148.6
Waterbury
89.1
🛒 Groceries11.8%
Newark
110.3
Waterbury
97.3
🚗 Transportation3.0%
Newark
111.1
Waterbury
107.8
🏥 Healthcare3.0%
Newark
100.5
Waterbury
97.5
Utilities+16.2%
Newark
127
Waterbury
147.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Waterbury, CT
$70,900
$9,100 less needed in Waterbury

Formula: salary × (99.8 ÷ 112.6) = salary × 0.8863. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Newark, NJ

Median Home Price
$703,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,225
Housing Index
148.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

Waterbury, CT

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

Newark has 40.0% lower housing costs compared to Waterbury.

Income & Job Market

Newark, NJ

Median Household Income
$95,200
Per Capita Income
$54,300
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
311,549
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingLogisticsGovernmentFinance

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).

Newark, NJ
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

59% 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.