City Comparison

Pueblo vs Waterbury

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Pueblo

Colorado
90
Below Average
$247,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$56,700
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 Pueblo costs 5.3% less than Waterbury. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Pueblo, you would need $79,167 in Waterbury.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
81
Pueblo
80
Waterbury
Groceries
99
Pueblo
101
Waterbury
Utilities
96
Pueblo
118
Waterbury
Transportation
99
Pueblo
103
Waterbury
Healthcare
102
Pueblo
99
Waterbury

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Pueblo has the same purchasing power as $79,167 in Waterbury.

Conversely, $75,000 in Waterbury equals $71,053 in Pueblo.

Living in Pueblo vs Waterbury

Housing Costs

Pueblo's housing index of 81 is higher Waterbury's 80, translating to median home prices of $247,000 vs $280,000. The $33,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,148 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Pueblo compared to $1,200/mo in Waterbury, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Pueblo and 101 in Waterbury. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Pueblo 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 96 in Pueblo and 118 in Waterbury. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Pueblo 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 Pueblo 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 $56,700 in Pueblo and $48,700 in Waterbury. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,000 and $51,263 respectively. Pueblo residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,323/month to housing in Pueblo vs $1,136/month in Waterbury. In Pueblo, median rent of $1,075/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 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pueblo is 5.3% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Pueblo has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $79,167 in Waterbury, based on the cost of living difference.
Pueblo's housing index is 81 with median homes at $247,000, while Waterbury's is 80 with median homes at $280,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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