City Comparison
Waterbury vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cincinnati scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Waterbury
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waterbury is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Waterbury | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,410 | +3% |
| Groceries | $420 | $493 | -15% |
| Utilities | $175 | $178 | -2% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,390 | $2,451 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 26% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cincinnati delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Waterbury is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Waterbury | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,500 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,234 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Waterbury runs warmer on average — a 50.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Waterbury comes out ahead with 247 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Waterbury sees 24.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Waterbury | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 24.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 247 | |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Waterbury.
Waterbury scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Waterbury leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Waterbury | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Waterbury.
From a growth perspective, Cincinnati is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Waterbury | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,000 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Cincinnati
Advantages
The cost of living in Cincinnati is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many major U.S. cities.
Cincinnati boasts a diverse and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, including museums, theaters, and a symphony orchestra.
Several neighborhoods, such as Over-The-Rhine and the Central Business District, are highly walkable, with Walk Scores of 94 and 92 respectively.
The median property value in Cincinnati was $230,900 in 2024, significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
While some areas are highly walkable, the city's overall Walk Score of 49 indicates a car-dependent environment for most errands.
Public transportation, while available, is not considered the most dependable, often necessitating a personal vehicle.
The city's poverty rate was 25.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
Cincinnati experiences extreme seasonal variations in humidity, with muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters.
The average commute time in the Cincinnati metropolitan area was 2 hours daily in 2023, which is relatively long compared to some other cities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Cincinnati
#501Ohio, USA
52.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
49.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
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