Living Cost Compare
Bridgeport

Connecticut

$1,460/mo est.

vs
Washington

District of Columbia

$2,150/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 $2,150 in Washington, DC. Overall, Bridgeport, CT is roughly 32% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Washington, DC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $56,584 in Bridgeport, CT and $106,287 in Washington, DC — about 47% higher in Washington, DC. Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax; District of Columbia has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Bridgeport, CT
Washington, DC

Rent

Studio
$950
$1,763
+86% in Washington, DC
1 Bedroom
$1,181
$1,885
+60% in Washington, DC
2 Bedroom
$1,508
$1,949
+29% in Washington, DC
3 Bedroom
$1,639
$2,249
+37% in Washington, DC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$252,400
$724,600
+187% in Washington, DC

Income

Median Household Income
$56,584
$106,287
+88% in Washington, DC
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$61,470
$71,060
+16% in Washington, DC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
36.4 yr
34.9 yr
+1.5 yr in Bridgeport, CT
Homeownership
43.3%
41.1%
+2.2 pp in Bridgeport, CT
Bachelor's+ (25+)
23.1%
63.6%
+40.5 pp in Washington, DC
Avg Commute
29.9 min
30.3 min
+0.4 min in Washington, DC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
401.7
936.3
+133% in Washington, DC
Property Crime
1,478.4
3,627.9
+145% in Washington, DC

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
58.2°F
+5.7°F in Washington, DC
Annual Precipitation
42.7 in
39.7 in
+3.0 in in Bridgeport, CT

Gas

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

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$2.00

Adult base one-way fare — — vs WMATA (Metrobus) (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
27.4
25.4
+7% in Bridgeport, CT
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$23.33
$22.01
+6% in Bridgeport, CT

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 Washington, DC
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 / DC)
6.35%
6%
+0.3 pp in CT
Income Tax (top rate)
6.99%
10.75%
+3.8 pp in DC

Bridgeport vs Washington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bridgeport or Washington?
Bridgeport, CT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,460 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Washington, DC's $2,150, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bridgeport than in Washington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Bridgeport versus $75,000 in Washington.
Which has lower taxes, Bridgeport or Washington?
Bridgeport is taxed under Connecticut's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax); Washington under District of Columbia's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% 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).