Is it cheaper to live in Bridgeport or Spokane?

Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Bridgeport, CT's $1,460, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Bridgeport versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Bridgeport or Spokane?

Bridgeport is taxed under Connecticut's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Bridgeport vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Bridgeport

Connecticut

$1,460/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Spokane, WA is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bridgeport, CT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $56,584 in Bridgeport, CT and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 14% higher in Spokane, WA. Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Bridgeport, CT

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$950

$884

+7% in Bridgeport, CT

1 Bedroom

$1,181

$903

+24% in Bridgeport, CT

2 Bedroom

$1,508

$1,192

+21% in Bridgeport, CT

3 Bedroom

$1,639

$1,442

+12% in Bridgeport, CT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$252,400

$326,200

+29% in Spokane, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$56,584

$65,745

+16% in Spokane, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$61,470

$54,660

+11% in Bridgeport, CT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.4 yr

37.2 yr

+0.8 yr in Spokane, WA

Homeownership

43.3%

58.3%

+15.0 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

23.1%

32.6%

+9.5 pp in Spokane, WA

Avg Commute

29.9 min

21.2 min

+8.7 min in Bridgeport, CT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

401.7

683.6

+70% in Spokane, WA

Property Crime

1,478.4

4,931.8

+234% in Spokane, WA

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

48.9°F

+3.6°F in Bridgeport, CT

Annual Precipitation

42.7 in

17.8 in

+25.0 in in Bridgeport, CT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.12/gal

+33% in Spokane, WA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

27.4

14.9

+45% in Bridgeport, CT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$23.33

$20.41

+13% in Bridgeport, CT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Spokane, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Spokane, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Spokane, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.01

+8% in Bridgeport, CT

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CT / WA)

6.35%

6.5%

+0.2 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

6.99%

None

+7.0 pp in CT

Bridgeport vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bridgeport or Spokane?: Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Bridgeport, CT's $1,460, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bridgeport than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Bridgeport versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Bridgeport or Spokane?: Bridgeport is taxed under Connecticut's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).