Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Erie, PA
VS
Waterbury, CT
🏆 Erie leads 12 of 22 categories
Erie
Pennsylvania
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$43,135
Violent Crime Index
99
Population
94,826
Waterbury
Connecticut
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.1
Median Household Income
$51,451 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
85 ✓ Safer
Population
114,480 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Erie, PA
Pros
Homes cost $61k less ($101,500 vs $162,800)
Rent averages $331/mo less ($809 vs $1,140)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.0 pts lower (6.8%)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.5)
More college-educated — 22.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Waterbury by $8,316/yr
Snowy winters — about 104" of snow per year
Waterbury, CT
Pros
14% less violent crime than Erie
Households earn $8,316 more per year on average
Cons
Property crime (2918.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (9.8% vs 6.8%)
Snowy winters — about 47" of snow per year
Cost of living runs 4% higher than Erie
Key Differences at a Glance
Erie
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 91.5 vs 95.1 (100 = US avg)
Erie
Median Home Value
$61k less
$101,500 vs $162,800
Erie
Unemployment
3.0 pp lower
6.8% vs 9.8% unemployment
Waterbury
Median Income
$8,316
$51,451 vs $43,135/yr
Waterbury
Violent Crime
14% lower
322.5 vs 375.6 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Erie, PA | Waterbury, CT |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.5 ✓ Cheaper | 95.1 |
| Median Home Value | $101,500 ✓ Lower | $162,800 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $809 ✓ Lower | $1,140 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $43,135 | $51,451 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 9.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.2 min ✓ Shorter | 27.6 min |
| Work From Home % | 5.8% | 6.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 96 ✓ Safer | 107⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 99 | 85 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (90) | B- (91) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.9:1 | 12.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.4% ✓ Higher | 16.7% |
| High School or Higher | 88.6% ✓ Higher | 81.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Erie City SD | Waterbury School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 35.2°F | 37.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.1°F | 84.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 43.0" ✓ Drier | 52.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 104.3" | 46.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 94,826 | 114,480 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 36.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.6% ✓ Higher | 43.8% |
| Under 18 | 21.4% | 22.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% ✓ More | 13.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Erie's cost of living index is 91.5 vs Waterbury's 95.1 (US average = 100).
Erie is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Erie leads 12 of 22 categories. Erie wins 12 and Waterbury wins 10. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Erie to Waterbury or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($101,500 vs $162,800 median home), income ($43,135 vs $51,451), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Erie, PA and Waterbury, CT are about 364 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.