City Comparison

Bridgeport vs Clearwater

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bridgeport

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

Clearwater

Florida
103
Average
$385,000
Median Home
$1,625/mo
Median Rent
$66,400
Median Income

The Verdict

27.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 27.2%, with Clearwater being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bridgeport has equivalent purchasing power to $58,969 in Clearwater.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
165
Bridgeport
115
Clearwater
Groceries
107
Bridgeport
102
Clearwater
Utilities
126
Bridgeport
101
Clearwater
Transportation
104
Bridgeport
100
Clearwater
Healthcare
114
Bridgeport
92
Clearwater

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bridgeport has the same purchasing power as $58,969 in Clearwater.

Conversely, $75,000 in Clearwater equals $95,388 in Bridgeport.

Living in Bridgeport vs Clearwater

Housing Costs

Bridgeport's housing index of 165 is higher Clearwater's 115, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $385,000. The $75,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,872 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Bridgeport compared to $1,625/mo in Clearwater, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 107 in Bridgeport and 102 in Clearwater. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $508/month in Bridgeport vs $485/month in Clearwater. 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 126 in Bridgeport and 101 in Clearwater. Monthly utility bills average approximately $504 in Bridgeport vs $404 in Clearwater. 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 114 in Bridgeport and 92 in Clearwater. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $48,734 in Bridgeport and $66,400 in Clearwater. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $37,202 and $64,466 respectively. Clearwater residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,137/month to housing in Bridgeport vs $1,549/month in Clearwater. In Bridgeport, median rent of $1,500/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Clearwater, median rent of $1,625/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 50 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clearwater is 27.2% more affordable overall with an index of 103 vs 131.
A $75,000 salary in Bridgeport has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $58,969 in Clearwater, based on the cost of living difference.
Bridgeport's housing index is 165 with median homes at $310,000, while Clearwater's is 115 with median homes at $385,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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