City Comparison

Bridgeport vs Surprise

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bridgeport

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

Surprise

Arizona
103
Average
$419,000
Median Home
$1,575/mo
Median Rent
$85,500
Median Income

The Verdict

27.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 27.2%, with Surprise being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bridgeport has equivalent purchasing power to $58,969 in Surprise.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
165
Bridgeport
105
Surprise
Groceries
107
Bridgeport
100
Surprise
Utilities
126
Bridgeport
102
Surprise
Transportation
104
Bridgeport
106
Surprise
Healthcare
114
Bridgeport
97
Surprise

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bridgeport has the same purchasing power as $58,969 in Surprise.

Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $95,388 in Bridgeport.

Living in Bridgeport vs Surprise

Housing Costs

Bridgeport's housing index of 165 is higher Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $419,000. The $109,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,080 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Bridgeport compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 107 in Bridgeport and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $508/month in Bridgeport vs $475/month in Surprise. Surprise 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 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $504 in Bridgeport vs $408 in Surprise. 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 97 in Surprise. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $37,202 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Bridgeport, median rent of $1,500/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 60 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Surprise is 27.2% more affordable overall with an index of 103 vs 131.
A $75,000 salary in Bridgeport has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $58,969 in Surprise, based on the cost of living difference.
Bridgeport's housing index is 165 with median homes at $310,000, while Surprise's is 105 with median homes at $419,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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