City Comparison

Bridgeport vs Racine

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bridgeport

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

Racine

Wisconsin
88
Below Average
$126,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$57,700
Median Income

The Verdict

48.9%

Living in Racine costs 48.9% less than Bridgeport. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bridgeport, you would need $50,382 in Racine.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
165
Bridgeport
66
Racine
Groceries
107
Bridgeport
97
Racine
Utilities
126
Bridgeport
94
Racine
Transportation
104
Bridgeport
90
Racine
Healthcare
114
Bridgeport
111
Racine

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bridgeport has the same purchasing power as $50,382 in Racine.

Conversely, $75,000 in Racine equals $111,648 in Bridgeport.

Living in Bridgeport vs Racine

Housing Costs

Bridgeport's housing index of 165 is higher Racine's 66, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $126,000. The $184,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,964 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Bridgeport compared to $1,025/mo in Racine, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 107 in Bridgeport and 97 in Racine. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $508/month in Bridgeport vs $461/month in Racine. Racine offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $564/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 126 in Bridgeport and 94 in Racine. Monthly utility bills average approximately $504 in Bridgeport vs $376 in Racine. 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 111 in Racine. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $48,734 in Bridgeport and $57,700 in Racine. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $37,202 and $65,568 respectively. Racine 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 $1,346/month in Racine. In Bridgeport, median rent of $1,500/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Racine, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 99 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Racine is 48.9% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 131.
A $75,000 salary in Bridgeport has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $50,382 in Racine, based on the cost of living difference.
Bridgeport's housing index is 165 with median homes at $310,000, while Racine's is 66 with median homes at $126,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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