City Comparison
Waterbury vs West Haven
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
West Haven scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Waterbury
West Haven
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waterbury is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in West Haven.
Housing costs are a major driver: Waterbury's average rent is
17% lower than West Haven's.
| Metric | Waterbury | West Haven | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,750 | -17% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $195 | -10% |
| Transport | $115 | $125 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $240 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,390 | $2,730 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 108 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
West Haven offers 14% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, West Haven delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Waterbury is estimated at
$52,000 vs $58,000 in West Haven.
| Metric | Waterbury | West Haven |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,500 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,234 idx | 62,963 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $72,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Waterbury sees 3.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Waterbury | West Haven |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | 52.50°F |
| Summer High | 80.90°F | 81.00°F |
| Winter Low | 20.10°F | 23.40°F |
| Rainfall | 44.50 in | 44.00 in |
| Snowfall | 24.30 in | 21.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 247 | 253 |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
West Haven scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, West Haven leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Waterbury | West Haven |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 61.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 44.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Waterbury is the larger city
— approximately 2.1x the population of West Haven.
From a growth perspective, West Haven is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, West Haven has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Waterbury | West Haven |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,000 | 55,584 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 39.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.50% |
| 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.
West Haven
Advantages
Boasts the longest publicly accessible shoreline in Connecticut, featuring 3.5 miles of beaches and boardwalk.
Convenient commuter access via the West Haven Metro-North train station providing direct service to New York City and New Haven.
Hosts the University of New Haven, bringing vibrant academic energy, diverse demographics, and cultural events to the city.
More attainable home purchase prices and rental rates compared to neighboring coastal towns in Fairfield County.
Home to the major VA Connecticut Healthcare System campus, offering top-tier local medical services and employment.
Drawbacks
Overall property tax rates are relatively high, reflecting municipal budget pressures typical of Connecticut cities.
Certain areas experience heavy commuter traffic congestion along Route 1 and approaches to Interstate 95 during peak hours.
Coastal flood zones require residents in specific neighborhoods to secure mandatory flood insurance.
Aging public school infrastructure requires ongoing capital investment and modernization efforts.
Pockets of the city experience commercial vacancy rates that local economic development initiatives are actively working to revitalize.
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
West Haven
#461Connecticut, USA
55.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
61.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
52.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
73
Business
67
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Waterbury and West Haven.
Open Cost Calculator