City Comparison

Concord vs Waterbury

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

New Hampshire
100
Average
$340,000
Median Home
$1,375/mo
Median Rent
$84,900
Median Income

Waterbury

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

The Verdict

5.3%

Living in Waterbury costs 5.3% less than Concord. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Concord, you would need $71,250 in Waterbury.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
110
Concord
80
Waterbury
Groceries
101
Concord
101
Waterbury
Utilities
110
Concord
118
Waterbury
Transportation
93
Concord
103
Waterbury
Healthcare
113
Concord
99
Waterbury

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $71,250 in Waterbury.

Conversely, $75,000 in Waterbury equals $78,947 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Waterbury

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 110 is higher Waterbury's 80, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $280,000. The $60,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,900 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Concord compared to $1,200/mo in Waterbury, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Concord and 101 in Waterbury. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Concord 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 110 in Concord and 118 in Waterbury. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Concord vs $472 in Waterbury. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 113 in Concord and 99 in Waterbury. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $84,900 in Concord and $48,700 in Waterbury. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $84,900 and $51,263 respectively. Concord residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,981/month to housing in Concord vs $1,136/month in Waterbury. In Concord, median rent of $1,375/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 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Waterbury is 5.3% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $71,250 in Waterbury, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 110 with median homes at $340,000, while Waterbury's is 80 with median homes at $280,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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