Living Cost Compare
Bridgeport

Connecticut

$1,440/mo est.

vs
South Burlington

Vermont

$1,790/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 $1,790 in South Burlington, VT. Overall, Bridgeport, CT is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than South Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $56,584 in Bridgeport, CT and $97,229 in South Burlington, VT — about 42% higher in South Burlington, VT. Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Bridgeport, CT
South Burlington, VT

Rent

Studio
$950
$1,557
+64% in South Burlington, VT
1 Bedroom
$1,181
$1,533
+30% in South Burlington, VT
2 Bedroom
$1,508
$1,805
+20% in South Burlington, VT
3 Bedroom
$1,639
$2,356
+44% in South Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$252,400
$399,600
+58% in South Burlington, VT

Income

Median Household Income
$56,584
$97,229
+72% in South Burlington, VT
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$61,470
$60,020
+2% in Bridgeport, CT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
36.4 yr
38.8 yr
+2.4 yr in South Burlington, VT
Homeownership
43.3%
60.1%
+16.8 pp in South Burlington, VT
Bachelor's+ (25+)
23.1%
65.1%
+42.0 pp in South Burlington, VT
Avg Commute
29.9 min
18.9 min
+11.0 min in Bridgeport, CT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
401.7
239.4
+40% in Bridgeport, CT
Property Crime
1,478.4
4,446
+201% in South Burlington, VT

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
46.0°F
+6.5°F in Bridgeport, CT
Annual Precipitation
42.7 in
36.8 in
+5.9 in in Bridgeport, CT

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.94/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
24.3
24.4
+0% in South Burlington, VT
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$23.33
$26.07
+12% in South Burlington, VT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.92
$1.92
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.90
$6.90
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.69
$0.69
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CT / VT)
6.35%
6%
+0.3 pp in CT
Income Tax (top rate)
6.99%
8.75%
+1.8 pp in VT

Bridgeport vs South Burlington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bridgeport or South Burlington?
Bridgeport, CT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,440 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below South Burlington, VT's $1,790, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bridgeport than in South Burlington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Bridgeport versus $61,000 in South Burlington.
Which has lower taxes, Bridgeport or South Burlington?
Bridgeport is taxed under Connecticut's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax); South Burlington under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% 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).