Skyline of Bridgeport
Cost of Living: 118.5 148,654

Bridgeport, CT, US

Connecticut's largest city with affordable housing by Northeast standards and train to NYC.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Bridgeport is a city in CT with a population of 148,654. Connecticut’s largest city with affordable housing by Northeast standards and train to NYC. Housing costs are close to the national average. The overall cost of living is above the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5a growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 118.5

Above Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 128.4

Above Average

Median Income $48,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.2%

Job market health

Bridgeport vs US Average

Cost of Living
Bridgeport: 118.5
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Bridgeport: 128.4
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Bridgeport: 6.99%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 7.0%
  • Sales Tax: 6.3%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $48,000
  • Unemployment: 5.2%
  • Population: 148,654

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 202/year
  • Summer High: 83°F
  • Winter Low: 23°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5a

Housing

  • Median Home: $280,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1500/mo

Not sure this is the right city?

Take our 2-minute quiz to discover the best cities for your lifestyle and budget.

Take the Quiz

Cost of Living

Bridgeport's cost of living index is 118.5 (US average = 100).

CategoryBridgeportNational AverageDifference
Overall118.5100+18.5%
Housing128.4100+28.4%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$280,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1500/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,875/mo
Price per Sq Ft$186

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Bridgeport:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$220Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$105Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$80Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$65Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities$470Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Bridgeport scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 118.5
Rent
— $1500
Sunny Days
— 202
Tax
— 6.99%
Unemployment
— 5.2%
Climate
— 83°F / 23°F
Safety
— 8.1 homicides/100k
Population
— 148,654
Internet Speed
— 200 Mbps

Climate

Bridgeport has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January43°F23°F2.5"
April68°F38°F2.8"
July83°F58°F1.5"
October63°F41°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5a

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Bridgeport faces the following natural hazards:

Flood High Risk

Coastal and river flooding.

Blizzard High Risk

Severe winter storms.

Hurricane Moderate Risk

Coastal areas affected by hurricanes.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 6.99%
  • Sales Tax: 6.35%
  • Property Tax: ~2.14% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.2%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Bridgeport per 100,000 residents:

392.9
Violent Crime
1,469.0
Property Crime
8.1
Homicide

Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting

Schools & Education

39/100
School Quality Score
Better than 15% of US cities
?
46
Total Schools
12.7:1
Student:Teacher
94.4%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of Bridgeport is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
5.2%
Black or African American
19.5%
Hispanic or Latino
44.6%
Native American
0.1%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.0%
Other
1.8%
Two or more races
3.2%
White
25.6%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.1%
High school graduate
31.7%
Less than high school
22.2%
Some college
23.0%

Religion

Christian
60.0%
Jewish
4.0%
Other
6.0%
Unaffiliated
30.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bridgeport, CT, US?

The cost of living index in Bridgeport is 118.5, which is Higher the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Bridgeport?

The median home price in Bridgeport is $280,000. The housing index is 128.4.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Bridgeport is approximately $1500/mo.

Does Bridgeport, CT have income tax?

Bridgeport is in CT, which has an income tax rate of 6.99%.

What is the climate like in Bridgeport?

Bridgeport enjoys approximately 202 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 83°F, while winter lows can drop to around 23°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.