City Comparison

Nampa vs Waterbury

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Nampa

Idaho
105
Average
$371,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$74,300
Median Income

Waterbury

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

The Verdict

10.5%

Living in Waterbury costs 10.5% less than Nampa. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Nampa, you would need $67,857 in Waterbury.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
104
Nampa
80
Waterbury
Groceries
105
Nampa
101
Waterbury
Utilities
83
Nampa
118
Waterbury
Transportation
113
Nampa
103
Waterbury
Healthcare
102
Nampa
99
Waterbury

Salary Equivalence

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

Conversely, $75,000 in Waterbury equals $82,895 in Nampa.

Living in Nampa vs Waterbury

Housing Costs

Nampa's housing index of 104 is higher Waterbury's 80, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $280,000. The $91,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,916 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Nampa compared to $1,200/mo in Waterbury, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Nampa and 101 in Waterbury. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Nampa 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 83 in Nampa and 118 in Waterbury. Monthly utility bills average approximately $332 in Nampa 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 102 in Nampa 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 $74,300 in Nampa and $48,700 in Waterbury. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,762 and $51,263 respectively. Nampa residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,734/month to housing in Nampa vs $1,136/month in Waterbury. In Nampa, 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 Utilities, 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 Nampa has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $67,857 in Waterbury, based on the cost of living difference.
Nampa's housing index is 104 with median homes at $371,000, while Waterbury's is 80 with median homes at $280,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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