CostIndexUSA

Waterbury, CT vs Waterloo, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CT
Waterbury
99.8
overall index
$1,325/mo rent
More AffordableIA
Waterloo
87.1
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Waterloo is moderately cheaper than Waterbury — 12.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Waterbury, you would need $69,800 in Waterloo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing29.2%
Waterbury
89.1
Waterloo
63.1
🛒 Groceries3.7%
Waterbury
97.3
Waterloo
93.7
🚗 Transportation9.5%
Waterbury
107.8
Waterloo
97.6
🏥 Healthcare9.4%
Waterbury
97.5
Waterloo
88.3
Utilities43.3%
Waterbury
147.6
Waterloo
83.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Waterloo, IA
$69,800
$10,200 less needed in Waterloo

Formula: salary × (87.1 ÷ 99.8) = salary × 0.8727. 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×

Waterloo, IA

Median Home Price
$192,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
63.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.9×

Waterbury has 29.2% lower housing costs compared to Waterloo.

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

Waterloo, IA

Median Household Income
$62,400
Per Capita Income
$35,600
Unemployment Rate
3%
Population
67,470
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareAgricultureRetailEducation

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)

Waterloo, IA
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.