salaryWaterbury is the 5th-largest city in Connecticut that we track, with 114,869 residents. Rent is lower than in 56% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.7 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $61,360 a year. That is $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Connecticut cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Connecticut. It is number 12 of 64 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Waterbury?
Share of households by yearly income. 15.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Waterbury
| Size | Waterbury | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,102 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,037 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,395 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,616 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,856 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Waterbury overall?
Everyday prices in the Waterbury-Shelton metro area are same as the U.S. average (index 99.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Waterbury
Life in Waterbury
What jobs pay in Waterbury
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $157,380 | 11.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $141,530 | 13.0% |
| Pharmacist | $138,110 | 13.3% |
| Physician Assistant | $134,120 | 13.7% |
| Software Developer | $131,290 | 14.0% |
| Operations Manager | $130,900 | 14.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $105,080 | 17.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $101,690 | 18.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,670 | 18.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $99,620 | 18.5% |
| Accountant | $93,010 | 19.8% |
| Police Officer | $82,830 | 22.2% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $79,640 | 23.1% |
| Firefighter | $77,630 | 23.7% |
| Plumber | $76,880 | 23.9% |
| Electrician | $75,850 | 24.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $72,710 | 25.3% |
| Market Research Analyst | $72,070 | 25.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $71,850 | 25.6% |
| Carpenter | $62,250 | 29.6% |
| Truck Driver | $59,750 | 30.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,010 | 39.2% |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,590 | 39.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,010 | 42.8% |
| Warehouse Worker | $39,500 | 46.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $38,570 | 47.7% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $36,890 | 49.9% |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,360 | 52.1% |
| Cashier | $35,100 | 52.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Waterbury?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $87 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $208,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $20,850 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Waterbury, CT?
Renting in Waterbury costs a median of about $1,534 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Connecticut median is $1,920.
How much do I need to make to live in Waterbury?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $61,360 a year, or $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Waterbury cheap or expensive?
Waterbury is rated Expensive: rent takes 32.9% of the typical household income of $55,959. It ranks 12th cheapest of 64 Connecticut cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Waterbury?
The median homeowner in Waterbury pays $5,449 a year in property taxes, about 2.61% of the median home value.
Is Waterbury more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are same as the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Waterbury?
The median home value in Waterbury is $208,500, about 3.7 times the typical yearly household income.
114,869 people live in Waterbury. Numbers are typical (middle) values.