City Comparison

Bellevue vs Bridgeport

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bellevue

Washington
158
Very Expensive
$1.3M
Median Home
$2,525/mo
Median Rent
$169,200
Median Income

Bridgeport

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

The Verdict

20.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 20.6%, with Bridgeport being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bellevue has equivalent purchasing power to $62,184 in Bridgeport.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
249
Bellevue
165
Bridgeport
Groceries
111
Bellevue
107
Bridgeport
Utilities
100
Bellevue
126
Bridgeport
Transportation
134
Bellevue
104
Bridgeport
Healthcare
120
Bellevue
114
Bridgeport

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has the same purchasing power as $62,184 in Bridgeport.

Conversely, $75,000 in Bridgeport equals $90,458 in Bellevue.

Living in Bellevue vs Bridgeport

Housing Costs

Bellevue's housing index of 249 is higher Bridgeport's 165, translating to median home prices of $1.3M vs $310,000. The $991,000 difference in home prices means roughly $64,416 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,525/mo in Bellevue compared to $1,500/mo in Bridgeport, a monthly difference of $1,025.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 111 in Bellevue and 107 in Bridgeport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $527/month in Bellevue 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 100 in Bellevue and 126 in Bridgeport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Bellevue 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 120 in Bellevue and 114 in Bridgeport. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $169,200 in Bellevue and $48,734 in Bridgeport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,089 and $37,202 respectively. Bellevue residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,948/month to housing in Bellevue vs $1,137/month in Bridgeport. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/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 84 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bridgeport is 20.6% more affordable overall with an index of 131 vs 158.
A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $62,184 in Bridgeport, based on the cost of living difference.
Bellevue's housing index is 249 with median homes at $1.3M, while Bridgeport's is 165 with median homes at $310,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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