City Comparison

Bridgeport vs Montgomery

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bridgeport

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

Montgomery

Alabama
79
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$56,800
Median Income

The Verdict

65.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 65.8%, with Montgomery being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bridgeport has equivalent purchasing power to $45,229 in Montgomery.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
165
Bridgeport
49
Montgomery
Groceries
107
Bridgeport
99
Montgomery
Utilities
126
Bridgeport
115
Montgomery
Transportation
104
Bridgeport
92
Montgomery
Healthcare
114
Bridgeport
78
Montgomery

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bridgeport has the same purchasing power as $45,229 in Montgomery.

Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $124,367 in Bridgeport.

Living in Bridgeport vs Montgomery

Housing Costs

Bridgeport's housing index of 165 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $162,000. The $148,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,624 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Bridgeport compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 107 in Bridgeport and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $508/month in Bridgeport vs $470/month in Montgomery. Montgomery offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 126 in Bridgeport and 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $504 in Bridgeport vs $460 in Montgomery. 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 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 36-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 $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $37,202 and $71,899 respectively. Montgomery 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 $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Bridgeport, median rent of $1,500/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 116 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Montgomery is 65.8% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 131.
A $75,000 salary in Bridgeport has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $45,229 in Montgomery, based on the cost of living difference.
Bridgeport's housing index is 165 with median homes at $310,000, while Montgomery's is 49 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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