City Comparison

Colorado Springs vs Waterbury

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Colorado Springs

Colorado
105
Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$64,712
Median Income

Waterbury

Connecticut
95
Below Average
$280,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$48,700
Median Income

The Verdict

10.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 10.5%, with Waterbury being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Colorado Springs has equivalent purchasing power to $67,857 in Waterbury.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
115
Colorado Springs
80
Waterbury
Groceries
100
Colorado Springs
101
Waterbury
Utilities
93
Colorado Springs
118
Waterbury
Transportation
101
Colorado Springs
103
Waterbury
Healthcare
104
Colorado Springs
99
Waterbury

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs has the same purchasing power as $67,857 in Waterbury.

Conversely, $75,000 in Waterbury equals $82,895 in Colorado Springs.

Living in Colorado Springs vs Waterbury

Housing Costs

Colorado Springs's housing index of 115 is higher Waterbury's 80, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $280,000. The $100,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,504 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Colorado Springs compared to $1,200/mo in Waterbury, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Colorado Springs and 101 in Waterbury. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Colorado Springs 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 93 in Colorado Springs and 118 in Waterbury. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Colorado Springs 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 104 in Colorado Springs and 99 in Waterbury. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $64,712 in Colorado Springs and $48,700 in Waterbury. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,630 and $51,263 respectively. Colorado Springs residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,510/month to housing in Colorado Springs vs $1,136/month in Waterbury. In Colorado Springs, median rent of $1,500/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 35 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Waterbury is 10.5% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 105.
A $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $67,857 in Waterbury, based on the cost of living difference.
Colorado Springs's housing index is 115 with median homes at $380,000, while Waterbury's is 80 with median homes at $280,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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