City Comparison
Manchester vs Waterbury
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Manchester scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Manchester
Waterbury
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waterbury is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Manchester.
| Metric | Manchester | Waterbury | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $1,450 | +7% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $115 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,500 | $2,390 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Manchester offers 21% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Manchester delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Manchester is estimated at
$58,000 vs $52,000 in Waterbury.
| Metric | Manchester | Waterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $58,500 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,608 idx | 62,234 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $53,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Waterbury sees 1.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Manchester | Waterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | 50.80°F |
| Summer High | 81.30°F | 80.90°F |
| Winter Low | 19.90°F | 20.10°F |
| Rainfall | 42.60 in | 44.50 in |
| Snowfall | 23.00 in | 24.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | 247 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Manchester scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Manchester | Waterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Waterbury is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Manchester.
From a growth perspective, Manchester is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Manchester has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Manchester | Waterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,498 | 114,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Manchester
Advantages
Median home prices and average rents are more affordable compared to neighboring Hartford suburbs like Glastonbury and West Hartford per Zillow 2024 data.
Abundant outdoor recreation options, including the popular Case Mountain hiking and conservation area.
Strong commuter accessibility via direct access to Interstate 84 and Interstate 384.
Rich historical identity anchored by the Cheney Brothers Silk Historic District.
Major commercial and retail hub status featuring the Buckland Hills shopping district.
Drawbacks
Property tax rates in Hartford County can be relatively high for homeowners.
Certain major commuter corridors experience heavy traffic congestion during peak morning and evening rush hours.
Public transit options outside of primary bus lines are somewhat limited, maintaining a reliance on personal vehicles.
Winters bring substantial snowfall and freezing temperatures common to the New England region.
Older housing stock in historic districts may require frequent maintenance and energy-efficiency updates.
Waterbury
Advantages
Median home purchase prices are significantly lower than the Connecticut state average per Zillow data.
Anchored by two major medical centers providing robust local healthcare access per American Hospital Directory.
Convenient highway access via Interstate 84 and Route 8 facilitating regional commutes.
Rich cultural amenities including the historic Palace Theater and diverse local dining options.
Abundant local green spaces such as Fulton Park offering outdoor recreation opportunities.
Drawbacks
Certain neighborhoods experience higher property and violent crime rates than national averages per FBI crime data.
Public transit walkability is limited outside of the immediate downtown core per Walk Score metrics.
Local school district ratings trail behind suburban Connecticut districts per state education reports.
State and local tax burdens remain a consistent challenge for property owners in Connecticut.
Economic mobility and median household incomes lag behind wealthier coastal municipalities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Manchester
#387Connecticut, USA
58.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
75
Business
70
Waterbury
#507Connecticut, USA
52.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$58,500
Cost Index
94
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
247/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
69
Business
64
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