Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
18% cheaper
Asheville is 18% more affordable than Bridgeport. A $75,000 salary in Bridgeport is equivalent to $61,832 in Asheville.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: North Carolina salaries · Connecticut salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Asheville has a housing index of 120 while Bridgeport sits at 165 (national average = 100). The median home in Asheville costs $360,000 compared to $310,000 in Bridgeport, a difference of $50,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,500 in Asheville versus $1,500 in Bridgeport.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Asheville scores 103 while Bridgeport scores 107.
Healthcare costs in Asheville (106) are lower than Bridgeport (114).
Median household income in Asheville is $48,534 compared to $48,734 in Bridgeport. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Asheville.
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