Living Cost Compare
Bridgeport

Connecticut

$1,440/mo est.

vs
Grand Forks

North Dakota

$920/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,440 in Bridgeport, CT versus $920 in Grand Forks, ND. Overall, Grand Forks, ND is roughly 36% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bridgeport, CT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $56,584 in Bridgeport, CT and $63,838 in Grand Forks, ND — about 11% higher in Grand Forks, ND. Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Bridgeport, CT
Grand Forks, ND

Rent

Studio
$950
$784
+17% in Bridgeport, CT
1 Bedroom
$1,181
$761
+36% in Bridgeport, CT
2 Bedroom
$1,508
$947
+37% in Bridgeport, CT
3 Bedroom
$1,639
$1,371
+16% in Bridgeport, CT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$252,400
$243,300
+4% in Bridgeport, CT

Income

Median Household Income
$56,584
$63,838
+13% in Grand Forks, ND
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$61,470
$49,760
+19% in Bridgeport, CT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
36.4 yr
29.4 yr
+7.0 yr in Bridgeport, CT
Homeownership
43.3%
46.5%
+3.2 pp in Grand Forks, ND
Bachelor's+ (25+)
23.1%
39.2%
+16.1 pp in Grand Forks, ND
Avg Commute
29.9 min
14.8 min
+15.1 min in Bridgeport, CT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
401.7
360.3
+10% in Bridgeport, CT
Property Crime
1,478.4
2,290.6
+55% in Grand Forks, ND

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
40.0°F
+12.5°F in Bridgeport, CT
Annual Precipitation
42.7 in
20.8 in
+21.9 in in Bridgeport, CT

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.85/gal
+2% in Bridgeport, CT

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
24.3
14.1
+42% in Bridgeport, CT
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$23.33
$18.21
+22% in Bridgeport, CT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.92
$1.66
+14% in Bridgeport, CT
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$3.63
+66% in Grand Forks, ND
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.90
$6.77
+2% in Bridgeport, CT
Chicken (lb)
$2.19
$2.10
+4% in Bridgeport, CT
Bananas (lb)
$0.69
$0.62
+11% in Bridgeport, CT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CT / ND)
6.35%
5%
+1.3 pp in CT
Income Tax (top rate)
6.99%
2.50%
+4.5 pp in CT

Bridgeport vs Grand Forks — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bridgeport or Grand Forks?
Grand Forks, ND is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 36% below Bridgeport, CT's $1,440, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bridgeport than in Grand Forks?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Bridgeport versus $30,000 in Grand Forks.
Which has lower taxes, Bridgeport or Grand Forks?
Bridgeport is taxed under Connecticut's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax); Grand Forks under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% 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).