Can I Afford to Live in Bridgeport vs St. Louis on $80K?

Here's how a $80K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Bridgeport, CT
$4,590/mo take-home
Rent: $1,850/mo (40% of take-home)
Tight
St. Louis, MO
$4,743/mo take-home
Rent: $1,300/mo (27% of take-home)
Comfortable
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Monthly budget breakdown

Bridgeport
CT
St. Louis
MO
Monthly take-home (est.)
$4,590
$4,743Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,850
$1,300Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$410
$369Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$85
$75Best ✓
Utilities
$200
$162Best ✓
Internet
$70
$60Best ✓
Left after essentials
$1,975/month
$2,777/month

Frequently asked questions

Is $80K a good salary in Bridgeport?

At $80K/year in Bridgeport, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,590. With 1BR rent around $1,850/month, rent takes up 40% of your take-home. That's considered tight.

Is $80K a good salary in St. Louis?

At $80K/year in St. Louis, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,743. With 1BR rent around $1,300/month, rent takes up 27% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $80K salary?

St. Louis leaves you with more money after core expenses — $2,777/month vs $1,975/month in Bridgeport.

Can I afford to live alone in Bridgeport on $80K?

It's tight. Rent in Bridgeport would take 40% of your $80K take-home pay. You may need to find roommates or look at studios to stay within the 30% rule.

Compare other salary bands — Bridgeport vs St. Louis

$40K$50K$60K$75K$100K$120K$150K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only