City Comparison

Bridgeport vs College Station

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bridgeport

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

College Station

Texas
87
Below Average
$314,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$50,900
Median Income

The Verdict

50.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 50.6%, with College Station being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bridgeport has equivalent purchasing power to $49,809 in College Station.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
165
Bridgeport
82
College Station
Groceries
107
Bridgeport
93
College Station
Utilities
126
Bridgeport
96
College Station
Transportation
104
Bridgeport
85
College Station
Healthcare
114
Bridgeport
90
College Station

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bridgeport has the same purchasing power as $49,809 in College Station.

Conversely, $75,000 in College Station equals $112,931 in Bridgeport.

Living in Bridgeport vs College Station

Housing Costs

Bridgeport's housing index of 165 is higher College Station's 82, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $314,000. The $4,000 difference in home prices means roughly $264 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Bridgeport compared to $1,075/mo in College Station, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 107 in Bridgeport and 93 in College Station. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $508/month in Bridgeport vs $442/month in College Station. College Station offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $792/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 126 in Bridgeport and 96 in College Station. Monthly utility bills average approximately $504 in Bridgeport vs $384 in College Station. 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 90 in College Station. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-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 $50,900 in College Station. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $37,202 and $58,506 respectively. College Station 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 $1,188/month in College Station. In Bridgeport, median rent of $1,500/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In College Station, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 83 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

College Station is 50.6% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 131.
A $75,000 salary in Bridgeport has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $49,809 in College Station, based on the cost of living difference.
Bridgeport's housing index is 165 with median homes at $310,000, while College Station's is 82 with median homes at $314,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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