Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Bridgeport?

Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Bridgeport, CT's $1,460, mainly because of electricity costs.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Bridgeport?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $47,000 in Bridgeport.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Bridgeport?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Bridgeport under Connecticut's (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax).

Boise vs Bridgeport Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/mo est.

Bridgeport

Connecticut

$1,460/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,260 in Boise, ID versus $1,460 in Bridgeport, CT. Overall, Boise, ID is roughly 14% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bridgeport, CT, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $56,584 in Bridgeport, CT — about 30% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Bridgeport, CT

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$950

+7% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$1,181

+4% in Bridgeport, CT

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$1,508

+12% in Bridgeport, CT

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,639

+6% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$252,400

+45% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$56,584

+30% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$61,470

+25% in Bridgeport, CT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

36.4 yr

+1.8 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

43.3%

+19.7 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

23.1%

+23.5 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

29.9 min

+10.8 min in Bridgeport, CT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

401.7

+33% in Bridgeport, CT

Property Crime

1,135.1

1,478.4

+30% in Bridgeport, CT

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.5°F

about equal

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

42.7 in

+31.0 in in Bridgeport, CT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.86/gal

+10% in Boise, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

12.3

27.4

+122% in Bridgeport, CT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.82

$23.33

+116% in Bridgeport, CT

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.92

+6% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Bridgeport, CT

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

Average prices — West vs Northeast (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / CT)

6.35%

+0.3 pp in CT

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

6.99%

+1.7 pp in CT

Boise vs Bridgeport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Bridgeport?: Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Bridgeport, CT's $1,460, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Bridgeport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $47,000 in Bridgeport.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Bridgeport?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Bridgeport under Connecticut's (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).