City Comparison

Akron vs Bridgeport

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Akron

Ohio
81
Very Affordable
$146,000
Median Home
$875/mo
Median Rent
$48,500
Median Income

Bridgeport

Connecticut
131
Expensive
$310,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$48,734
Median Income

The Verdict

38.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 38.2%, with Akron being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to $121,296 in Bridgeport.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
60
Akron
165
Bridgeport
Groceries
106
Akron
107
Bridgeport
Utilities
80
Akron
126
Bridgeport
Transportation
85
Akron
104
Bridgeport
Healthcare
88
Akron
114
Bridgeport

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Akron has the same purchasing power as $121,296 in Bridgeport.

Conversely, $75,000 in Bridgeport equals $46,374 in Akron.

Living in Akron vs Bridgeport

Housing Costs

Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Bridgeport's 165, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $310,000. The $164,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,656 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $1,500/mo in Bridgeport, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 107 in Bridgeport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $508/month in Bridgeport. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 80 in Akron and 126 in Bridgeport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $504 in Bridgeport. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 88 in Akron and 114 in Bridgeport. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 26-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $48,500 in Akron and $48,734 in Bridgeport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $37,202 respectively. Akron residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,132/month to housing in Akron vs $1,137/month in Bridgeport. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Bridgeport, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 105 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Akron is 38.2% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 131.
A $75,000 salary in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $121,296 in Bridgeport, based on the cost of living difference.
Akron's housing index is 60 with median homes at $146,000, while Bridgeport's is 165 with median homes at $310,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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