Waterbury, CT vs West Haven, CT

Waterbury is moderately more affordable than West Haven, with a 13% lower cost of living index. Waterbury scores 86 compared to 99 for West Haven, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of West Haven can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Waterbury is $1,180/month compared to $1,389/month in West Haven — a 15% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waterbury is more affordable at $185,400 median vs $265,200.

Median household income in Waterbury is $51,642 compared to $73,566 in West Haven (-29.8%). While West Haven is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Waterbury spend roughly 27.4% of their income on rent, more than the 22.7% in West Haven.