City Comparison
Waterbury vs New Britain
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
New Britain scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Waterbury
New Britain
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waterbury is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in New Britain.
| Metric | Waterbury | New Britain | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,600 | -9% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $250 | -30% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,390 | $2,670 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Waterbury offers 35% 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 $60,000 in New Britain.
| Metric | Waterbury | New Britain |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,500 | $43,281 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,234 idx | 51,525 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $58,613 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Waterbury sees 0.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Waterbury | New Britain |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | 51.50°F |
| Summer High | 80.90°F | 81.40°F |
| Winter Low | 20.10°F | 21.00°F |
| Rainfall | 44.50 in | 44.00 in |
| Snowfall | 24.30 in | 23.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 247 | 251 |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
New Britain has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Waterbury.
For walkability, Waterbury leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Waterbury | New Britain |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Waterbury is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of New Britain.
From a growth perspective, New Britain 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 | New Britain |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,000 | 76,969 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.3 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 8.30% |
| 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.
New Britain
Advantages
The average rent in New Britain is $1,600 per month as of September 2026, which is 16% below the national average.
New Britain experienced a 2.57% employment growth rate from 2023 to 2024.
The average commute time in New Britain is 21.5 minutes (2020-2024), shorter than the national average.
The Hospital of Central Connecticut, serving New Britain, has been recognized with America's 100 Best Hospitals Award.
The median property value in New Britain was $223,600 in 2024, offering more affordable homeownership opportunities compared to the national average.
Drawbacks
New Britain's unemployment rate was 8.3% in July 2026, significantly higher than the national rate.
The poverty rate in New Britain was 18.08% in 2026.
The homeownership rate in New Britain was 45.1% in 2024, which is lower than the national average.
New Britain exhibits a medium to high car dependency, with most residents driving alone to work.
While home care costs are relatively lower, assisted living and nursing home costs in Connecticut are considerably high.
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
New Britain
#473Connecticut, USA
54.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,600
Avg Salary
$43,281
Cost Index
84
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
8.30%
Livability
68
Business
65
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