Living Cost Compare
Bridgeport

Connecticut

$1,460/mo est.

vs
Richmond

Virginia

$1,390/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,460 in Bridgeport, CT versus $1,390 in Richmond, VA. Overall, Richmond, VA is roughly 5% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bridgeport, CT, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $56,584 in Bridgeport, CT and $62,671 in Richmond, VA — about 10% higher in Richmond, VA. Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Bridgeport, CT
Richmond, VA

Rent

Studio
$950
$1,183
+25% in Richmond, VA
1 Bedroom
$1,181
$1,195
+1% in Richmond, VA
2 Bedroom
$1,508
$1,374
+9% in Bridgeport, CT
3 Bedroom
$1,639
$1,447
+12% in Bridgeport, CT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$252,400
$328,100
+30% in Richmond, VA

Income

Median Household Income
$56,584
$62,671
+11% in Richmond, VA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$61,470
$51,460
+16% in Bridgeport, CT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
36.4 yr
34.5 yr
+1.9 yr in Bridgeport, CT
Homeownership
43.3%
43.5%
+0.2 pp in Richmond, VA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
23.1%
44.1%
+21.0 pp in Richmond, VA
Avg Commute
29.9 min
22.1 min
+7.8 min in Bridgeport, CT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
401.7
349
+13% in Bridgeport, CT
Property Crime
1,478.4
3,240.2
+119% in Richmond, VA

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
58.9°F
+6.4°F in Richmond, VA
Annual Precipitation
42.7 in
43.6 in
+0.9 in in Richmond, VA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.86/gal
$3.86/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
27.4
17.6
+36% in Bridgeport, CT
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$23.33
$23.66
+1% in Richmond, VA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.00
+7% in Bridgeport, CT
Bread (lb)
$1.92
$1.75
+9% in Bridgeport, CT
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.21
+1% in Richmond, VA
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.90
$6.45
+6% in Bridgeport, CT
Chicken (lb)
$2.19
$1.90
+13% in Bridgeport, CT
Bananas (lb)
$0.69
$0.62
+11% in Bridgeport, CT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CT / VA)
6.35%
5.3%
+1.0 pp in CT
Income Tax (top rate)
6.99%
5.75%
+1.2 pp in CT

Bridgeport vs Richmond — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bridgeport or Richmond?
Richmond, VA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,390 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Bridgeport, CT's $1,460, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bridgeport than in Richmond?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Bridgeport versus $48,000 in Richmond.
Which has lower taxes, Bridgeport or Richmond?
Bridgeport is taxed under Connecticut's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax); Richmond under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).