Cost of Living: Houston, TX vs Waterbury, CT (2026)

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Waterbury

Connecticut
76

Houston is 16% more expensive than Waterbury.

$1,313/mo ↑ 11%
Median Rent
$1,180/mo ↓ 10%
$62,894/yr ↑ 22%
Median Income
$51,642/yr ↓ 18%
$253,400 ↑ 37%
Home Value
$185,400 ↓ 27%
$1,316/mo ↑ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,273/mo ↓ 3%
2,300,419
Population
114,356

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.99%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.35%
1.6%
Property Tax
2.15%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Waterbury, CT, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 76 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $133/month cheaper in Waterbury, saving renters about $1,596/year.

Median household income is $11,252/year higher in Houston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $185,400 in Waterbury.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Houston residents a significant tax advantage over Connecticut's 6.99% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Waterbury — common questions

Is Houston or Waterbury cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Waterbury is cheaper to live in with an index of 76 compared to 88 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Waterbury?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Waterbury it's $1,180/month — a difference of $133/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Waterbury?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $51,642 in Waterbury. Median household income is $11,252/year higher in Houston.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Connecticut?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Connecticut has 6.99% income tax, 6.35% sales tax, and 2.15% property tax.
Should I move to Houston or Waterbury?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Waterbury has a cost index of 76 with rent of $1,180/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Waterbury details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Houston and Waterbury

Houston vs. Chicago Houston vs. Phoenix Houston vs. Los Angeles Houston vs. Philadelphia Houston vs. New York Houston vs. San Antonio Waterbury vs. Carlsbad Waterbury vs. Provo Waterbury vs. East Los Angeles Waterbury vs. Elgin Waterbury vs. Lowell Waterbury vs. Odessa