City Comparison
Norwalk vs Waterbury
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Norwalk scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Norwalk
Waterbury
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waterbury is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
32% lower than in Norwalk.
Housing costs are a major driver: Norwalk's average rent is
62% higher than Waterbury's.
| Metric | Norwalk | Waterbury | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,350 | $1,450 | +62% |
| Groceries | $520 | $420 | +24% |
| Utilities | $210 | $175 | +20% |
| Transport | $140 | $115 | +22% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $230 | +22% |
| Monthly Total | $3,500 | $2,390 | +46% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Norwalk offers 44% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Norwalk delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Norwalk is estimated at
$72,000 vs $52,000 in Waterbury.
| Metric | Norwalk | Waterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $84,000 | $58,500 |
| Salary Needed | $72,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,625 idx | 62,234 idx |
| Household Income | $98,500 | $53,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.8°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Waterbury sees 5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Norwalk | Waterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.60°F | 50.80°F |
| Summer High | 82.40°F | 80.90°F |
| Winter Low | 24.70°F | 20.10°F |
| Rainfall | 44.50 in | 44.50 in |
| Snowfall | 19.30 in | 24.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | 247 |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Waterbury has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Norwalk.
Norwalk scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Norwalk leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Norwalk | Waterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Waterbury is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Norwalk.
From a growth perspective, Norwalk is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Norwalk has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Norwalk | Waterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,184 | 114,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 4.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Norwalk
Advantages
Direct Metro-North commuter rail access to Grand Central Terminal in New York City
Thriving coastal lifestyle with extensive boating, marina, and beach access along Long Island Sound
Vibrant downtown SoNo district featuring diverse dining, arts, and the Maritime Aquarium
Robust local economy anchored by healthcare, professional services, and corporate headquarters
High educational attainment and strong public community engagement initiatives
Drawbacks
Cost of living and housing expenses significantly exceed the national average
Heavy commuter traffic congestion along the Interstate 95 and Route 7 corridors
Competitive real estate market with high median home purchase prices
High local property and state tax burdens typical of Fairfield County
Moderate car dependency in outer residential neighborhoods outside the urban core
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.
Norwalk
#495Connecticut, USA
53.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,350
Avg Salary
$84,000
Cost Index
128
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
53.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
78
Business
72
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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