Arlington vs Waterbury
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Waterbury
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 72.6%, with Waterbury being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to $43,445 in Waterbury.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $43,445 in Waterbury.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waterbury equals $129,474 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Waterbury
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Waterbury's 80, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $280,000. The $460,000 difference in home prices means roughly $29,904 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,200/mo in Waterbury, a monthly difference of $1,150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 101 in Waterbury. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $480/month in Waterbury. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 118 in Waterbury. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $472 in Waterbury. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 99 in Waterbury. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $48,700 in Waterbury. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $51,263 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,136/month in Waterbury. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Waterbury, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 169 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases