City Comparison

Dublin vs Waterbury

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Dublin

Ireland
104
Average
$470,000
Median Home
$2,125/mo
Median Rent
$56,000
Median Income

Waterbury

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

The Verdict

9.5%

Living in Waterbury costs 9.5% less than Dublin. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Dublin, you would need $68,510 in Waterbury.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
128
Dublin
80
Waterbury
Groceries
95
Dublin
101
Waterbury
Utilities
110
Dublin
118
Waterbury
Transportation
108
Dublin
103
Waterbury
Healthcare
82
Dublin
99
Waterbury

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Dublin has the same purchasing power as $68,510 in Waterbury.

Conversely, $75,000 in Waterbury equals $82,105 in Dublin.

Living in Dublin vs Waterbury

Housing Costs

Dublin's housing index of 128 is higher Waterbury's 80, translating to median home prices of $470,000 vs $280,000. The $190,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,348 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Dublin compared to $1,200/mo in Waterbury, a monthly difference of $925.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Dublin and 101 in Waterbury. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Dublin vs $480/month in Waterbury. Dublin offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 110 in Dublin and 118 in Waterbury. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Dublin vs $472 in Waterbury. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 82 in Dublin and 99 in Waterbury. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,000 in Dublin and $48,700 in Waterbury. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $53,846 and $51,263 respectively. Dublin residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,307/month to housing in Dublin vs $1,136/month in Waterbury. In Dublin, median rent of $2,125/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Waterbury is 9.5% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 104.
A $75,000 salary in Dublin has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $68,510 in Waterbury, based on the cost of living difference.
Dublin's housing index is 128 with median homes at $470,000, while Waterbury's is 80 with median homes at $280,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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