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City Report · CT

Watertown

Pop. 3,897·42nd most expensive in Connecticut·Rental market data updated monthly for Watertown, CT
Median rent (all units)
$1,898/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+5.2%
vs US Median
-$67
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Watertown · $1,898
More expensive than 52% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
22% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,898/mo, rent takes about 22% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$76,000/yr
Local median income
$103,200/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Watertown's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,120
1 BR
$1,330
2 BR
$1,640
3 BR
$2,050
4 BR+
$2,340
Research median
$1,640/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$22,776/yr
At $1,898/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +5.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Watertown, CT is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 45.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
3,897
Median income
$103,200
Median age
43.9
Renters
19.9%
Age distribution
23.5%
33.6%
13.6%
18.2%
Under 1823.5%
18–3411.1%
35–5433.6%
55–6413.6%
65+18.2%
Gender
53.6%
46.4%
Male53.6%
Female46.4%
Race & ethnicity
80.4%
White80.4%
Black1.1%
Hispanic6.8%
Asian6.9%
Other4.8%
Education (25+)
24.3%
22.7%
45.3%
No HS diploma7.6%
HS diploma24.3%
Some college22.7%
Bachelor's+45.3%
Housing tenure
80.1%
19.9%
Owner80.1%
Renter19.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Watertown, CT has changed in 5 years

Income
$66,189 → $103,200
up 55.9%
Population
3,600 → 3,897
up 8.3%
Renter share
25.8% → 19.9%
-5.9 pts
Bachelor's+
36.7% → 45.3%
+8.6 pts
Median age
47.2 → 43.9
-3.3 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $66,189 in 2021 to $103,200 more recently. Headcount in the area went from 3,600 to 3,897 between 2021 and 2024, a 8.3% change. About 19.9% of households rent today, against 25.8% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 36.7% to 45.3%.

Community

Discussions about Watertown

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View Watertown rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Watertown on your salary?

At $1,898/mo, how Watertown rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Watertown rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Watertown. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Watertown

About renting in Watertown, CT

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Watertown is $1,898/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,120/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,640/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,330/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,050/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($103,200/yr), Watertown ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Watertown an affordable city for renters?

Watertown is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,898/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($103,200/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Watertown falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Watertown?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $76,000/year (~$37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,898/mo in Watertown. The local median household income is $103,200/yr, meaning the typical Watertown household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Watertown?

Rent in Watertown has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Watertown rent compare to other cities in Connecticut?

Watertown is one of the more affordable cities in Connecticut for rent, ranking #42 out of 56 tracked cities at $1,898/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Watertown?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Watertown ($1,898/mo): Waterbury ($1,554/mo), Bristol ($1,679/mo), Seymour ($1,799/mo).

What percentage of Watertown residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 19.9% of Watertown households are renters, while 80.1% are owner-occupied. Watertown leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Watertown rent compare to the national average?

Watertown's median rent of $1,898/mo is $67 (3%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Connecticut, it ranks #42 out of 56 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,898/mo, rent takes ~22% of Watertown's median household income ($103,200/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Watertown 22%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3–6.99%
Run the Watertown affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Watertown
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Watertown, CT

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