City Comparison

Bridgeport vs Franklin

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bridgeport

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

Franklin

Tennessee
139
Expensive
$750,000
Median Home
$1,850/mo
Median Rent
$118,200
Median Income

The Verdict

5.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 5.8%, with Bridgeport being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bridgeport has equivalent purchasing power to $79,580 in Franklin.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
165
Bridgeport
230
Franklin
Groceries
107
Bridgeport
100
Franklin
Utilities
126
Bridgeport
97
Franklin
Transportation
104
Bridgeport
90
Franklin
Healthcare
114
Bridgeport
91
Franklin

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bridgeport has the same purchasing power as $79,580 in Franklin.

Conversely, $75,000 in Franklin equals $70,683 in Bridgeport.

Living in Bridgeport vs Franklin

Housing Costs

Bridgeport's housing index of 165 is lower Franklin's 230, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $750,000. The $440,000 difference in home prices means roughly $28,596 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Bridgeport compared to $1,850/mo in Franklin, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 107 in Bridgeport and 100 in Franklin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $508/month in Bridgeport vs $475/month in Franklin. Franklin offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 126 in Bridgeport and 97 in Franklin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $504 in Bridgeport vs $388 in Franklin. 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 91 in Franklin. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-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 $118,200 in Franklin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $37,202 and $85,036 respectively. Franklin 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 $2,758/month in Franklin. In Bridgeport, median rent of $1,500/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 65 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bridgeport is 5.8% more affordable overall with an index of 131 vs 139.
A $75,000 salary in Bridgeport has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $79,580 in Franklin, based on the cost of living difference.
Bridgeport's housing index is 165 with median homes at $310,000, while Franklin's is 230 with median homes at $750,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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