City Comparison

Bridgeport vs Olympia

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bridgeport

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

Olympia

Washington
112
Above Average
$495,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$81,300
Median Income

The Verdict

17.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 17.0%, with Olympia being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bridgeport has equivalent purchasing power to $64,122 in Olympia.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
165
Bridgeport
131
Olympia
Groceries
107
Bridgeport
105
Olympia
Utilities
126
Bridgeport
91
Olympia
Transportation
104
Bridgeport
129
Olympia
Healthcare
114
Bridgeport
124
Olympia

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bridgeport has the same purchasing power as $64,122 in Olympia.

Conversely, $75,000 in Olympia equals $87,723 in Bridgeport.

Living in Bridgeport vs Olympia

Housing Costs

Bridgeport's housing index of 165 is higher Olympia's 131, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $495,000. The $185,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,024 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Bridgeport compared to $1,600/mo in Olympia, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 107 in Bridgeport and 105 in Olympia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $508/month in Bridgeport vs $499/month in Olympia. 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 91 in Olympia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $504 in Bridgeport vs $364 in Olympia. 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 124 in Olympia. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $81,300 in Olympia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $37,202 and $72,589 respectively. Olympia 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 $1,897/month in Olympia. In Bridgeport, median rent of $1,500/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Olympia, median rent of $1,600/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 35 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Olympia is 17.0% more affordable overall with an index of 112 vs 131.
A $75,000 salary in Bridgeport has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $64,122 in Olympia, based on the cost of living difference.
Bridgeport's housing index is 165 with median homes at $310,000, while Olympia's is 131 with median homes at $495,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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