Carlsbad vs Waterbury: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Carlsbad, CA and Waterbury, CT, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Carlsbad, CA | Waterbury, CT |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,745 | 114,480 |
| Median household income | $134,139 | $51,451 |
| Median home value | $1,070,500 | $162,800 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $2,477 | $1,140 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Carlsbad, CA and Waterbury, CT comes down to what you value most. Waterbury has the lower median home value, and Waterbury has the lower median rent.
Carlsbad has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Carlsbad or Waterbury?
- By median home value, Waterbury is the cheaper of the two ($162,800 vs $1,070,500). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Carlsbad or Waterbury?
- Median household income is $134,139 in Carlsbad versus $51,451 in Waterbury, per the US Census Bureau.