Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA vs Waterbury, CT (2026)

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Waterbury

Connecticut
76

San Francisco is 251% more expensive than Waterbury.

$2,419/mo ↑ 105%
Median Rent
$1,180/mo ↓ 51%
$141,446/yr ↑ 174%
Median Income
$51,642/yr ↓ 63%
$1,380,500 ↑ 645%
Home Value
$185,400 ↓ 87%
$2,620/mo ↑ 106%
Owner Costs
$1,273/mo ↓ 51%
836,321
Population
114,356

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
6.99%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.35%
0.71%
Property Tax
2.15%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Waterbury, CT, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 76 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,239/month cheaper in Waterbury, saving renters about $14,868/year.

Median household income is $89,804/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $185,400 in Waterbury.

Connecticut has a lower income tax rate, making Waterbury slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Waterbury — common questions

Is San Francisco or Waterbury cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Waterbury is cheaper to live in with an index of 76 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Waterbury?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Waterbury it's $1,180/month — a difference of $1,239/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Waterbury?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $51,642 in Waterbury. Median household income is $89,804/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between California and Connecticut?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Connecticut has 6.99% income tax, 6.35% sales tax, and 2.15% property tax.
Should I move to San Francisco or Waterbury?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/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 San Francisco details → View Waterbury details →

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