City Comparison
Waterbury vs East Hartford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
East Hartford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Waterbury
East Hartford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waterbury is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in East Hartford.
| Metric | Waterbury | East Hartford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,583 | -8% |
| Groceries | $420 | $350 | +20% |
| Utilities | $175 | $250 | -30% |
| Transport | $115 | $300 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $200 | +15% |
| Monthly Total | $2,390 | $2,683 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Waterbury offers 64% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Waterbury delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Waterbury is estimated at
$52,000 vs $29,796 in East Hartford.
| Metric | Waterbury | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,500 | $35,770 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $29,796 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,234 idx | 37,653 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $70,778 |
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 | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
East Hartford 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 | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 26.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Waterbury is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of East Hartford.
From a growth perspective, Waterbury is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Waterbury has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Waterbury | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,000 | 50,693 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.90% |
| 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.
East Hartford
Advantages
The median household income in East Hartford grew by 5.73% from 2023 to 2024, reaching $70,778.
East Hartford's violent crime rate is 89% below the national average, contributing to a high safety score.
The cost of living in East Hartford is 11% lower than the Connecticut average, making it more affordable.
The average commute time of 22.4 minutes is shorter than the national average.
Employment in East Hartford grew at a rate of 2.21% from 2023 to 2024.
Drawbacks
East Hartford's population is projected to decline by -0.07% annually in 2026.
The town's Walk Score of 33 indicates it is car-dependent, with most errands requiring a car.
Educational attainment levels are lower than Hartford County, with 18% of residents having a four-year college degree or higher, compared to 40% in the County.
The Transit Score of 26 suggests limited public transportation options for car-free living.
East Hartford's crime rates are 17% higher than the Connecticut average, despite being lower than the national average for violent crime.
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
East Hartford
#18Connecticut, USA
73.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,583
Avg Salary
$35,770
Cost Index
95
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
26.0/100
Walkability
33.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
73
Business
68
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