New Haven wins overall by ~2% (COL index)
Cost of living: New Haven vs Bridgeport (2026)
A $60,000 salary in New Haven buys roughly what $61,091 does in Bridgeport (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$767/yr
Favoring New Haven for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $64/mo in New Haven, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | New Haven Connecticut | Bridgeport Connecticut | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,400Better | $1,450 | New Haven wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in New Haven |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,800Better | $1,850 | New Haven wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in New Haven |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,400Better | $2,500 | New Haven wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in New Haven |
| Median home price | $340KBetter | $360K | New Haven wins +$20K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 108Better | 108 | — | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $17Better | $17 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $68Better | $68 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $82Better | $85 | New Haven wins +$3/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.45Better | $3.45 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $178Better | $180 | New Haven wins +$2/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $198Better | $200 | New Haven wins +$2/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $70Better | $70 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $52K | $55KBetter | Bridgeport wins +$3K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 7.0%Better | 7.0% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 6.4%Better | 6.4% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $16.00Better | $16.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $48Better | $50 | New Haven wins +$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00Better | $7.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 110Better | 112 | New Haven wins +2 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 73Better | 71 | New Haven wins -2 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
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New Haven fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in New Haven.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
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Frequently asked questions
Is New Haven cheaper than Bridgeport?
Yes. New Haven is 2% cheaper than Bridgeport based on overall cost of living indices (110 vs 112, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in New Haven vs Bridgeport?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in New Haven is $1,800/month and in Bridgeport is $1,850/month. New Haven is cheaper by 3%.
How much do I need to earn in Bridgeport to match a $75,000 salary in New Haven?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $76,364/year in Bridgeport to match a $75,000 salary in New Haven. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — New Haven or Bridgeport?
Bridgeport has the lower state income tax rate at 7% vs 7%. The difference is 0.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from New Haven to Bridgeport?
It depends on your priorities. New Haven offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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