Manchester, NH vs Bridgeport, CT: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Bridgeport, CT is 1.1% more expensive than Manchester, NH (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Manchester works out to about $75,900 in Bridgeport, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 12.1% more in Bridgeport. Goods are 0.4% lower and other services 1.0% lower.
- Typical asking rent is $2,880 a month in Bridgeport and $2,165 in Manchester, $8,580 a year more in Bridgeport (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $688,000 in Bridgeport and $517,000 in Manchester.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (2.0%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 12.1% higher in Bridgeport than in Manchester
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Manchester, NH
- Bridgeport, CT
All items Manchester, NH: 105.7 Bridgeport, CT: 106.9
Goods Manchester, NH: 97.7 Bridgeport, CT: 97.3
Housing (rents) Manchester, NH: 134.2 Bridgeport, CT: 150.5
Utilities Manchester, NH: 133.5 Bridgeport, CT: 147.1
Other services Manchester, NH: 103.7 Bridgeport, CT: 102.7
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Manchester, NH | Bridgeport, CT | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 105.7 | 106.9 |
| Goods | 97.7 | 97.3 |
| Housing (rents) | 134.2 | 150.5 |
| Utilities | 133.5 | 147.1 |
| Other services | 103.7 | 102.7 |
| Category | Manchester | Bridgeport | Bridgeport vs Manchester |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 105.7 | 106.9 | +1.1% |
| Goods | 97.7 | 97.3 | −0.4% |
| Housing (rents) | 134.2 | 150.5 | +12.1% |
| Utilities | 133.5 | 147.1 | +10.1% |
| Other services | 103.7 | 102.7 | −1.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $2,165 | $2,880 | +33.0% |
| Typical home value | $517,000 | $688,000 | +32.9% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Manchester | $75,000 | $75,900 | +1.1% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Manchester and Bridgeport has narrowed since 2008: 8.0 points then, 1.2 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Manchester, NH
- Bridgeport, CT
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Manchester, NH | Bridgeport, CT | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 109.0 | 117.0 |
| 2009 | 104.4 | 117.7 |
| 2010 | 104.4 | 113.4 |
| 2011 | 104.7 | 114.0 |
| 2012 | 104.2 | 113.9 |
| 2013 | 101.9 | 114.9 |
| 2014 | 104.3 | 115.2 |
| 2015 | 105.0 | 113.6 |
| 2016 | 108.0 | 113.8 |
| 2017 | 107.3 | 111.9 |
| 2018 | 103.3 | 107.3 |
| 2019 | 104.2 | 106.2 |
| 2020 | 104.8 | 108.6 |
| 2021 | 102.2 | 106.2 |
| 2022 | 108.2 | 109.9 |
| 2023 | 105.6 | 107.0 |
| 2024 | 105.7 | 106.9 |
Goods
- Manchester, NH
- Bridgeport, CT
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Manchester, NH | Bridgeport, CT | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.9 | 117.4 |
| 2009 | 97.2 | 116.1 |
| 2010 | 98.6 | 109.1 |
| 2011 | 100.6 | 109.5 |
| 2012 | 100.9 | 111.6 |
| 2013 | 100.3 | 111.3 |
| 2014 | 103.6 | 109.4 |
| 2015 | 102.3 | 107.3 |
| 2016 | 103.4 | 108.4 |
| 2017 | 103.2 | 108.9 |
| 2018 | 100.7 | 101.4 |
| 2019 | 98.3 | 98.7 |
| 2020 | 98.9 | 99.0 |
| 2021 | 98.1 | 97.0 |
| 2022 | 101.6 | 101.1 |
| 2023 | 98.7 | 98.6 |
| 2024 | 97.7 | 97.3 |
Housing (rents)
- Manchester, NH
- Bridgeport, CT
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Manchester, NH | Bridgeport, CT | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 139.4 | 160.5 |
| 2009 | 120.1 | 170.5 |
| 2010 | 127.7 | 164.0 |
| 2011 | 125.3 | 153.0 |
| 2012 | 132.9 | 161.7 |
| 2013 | 126.2 | 170.1 |
| 2014 | 133.4 | 169.6 |
| 2015 | 129.5 | 174.1 |
| 2016 | 127.2 | 169.6 |
| 2017 | 130.9 | 149.4 |
| 2018 | 118.9 | 158.7 |
| 2019 | 122.5 | 145.9 |
| 2020 | 122.4 | 160.1 |
| 2021 | 114.9 | 157.0 |
| 2022 | 132.6 | 155.4 |
| 2023 | 127.6 | 144.2 |
| 2024 | 134.2 | 150.5 |
Utilities
- Manchester, NH
- Bridgeport, CT
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Manchester, NH | Bridgeport, CT | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 135.6 | 156.7 |
| 2009 | 139.3 | 157.6 |
| 2010 | 124.0 | 148.5 |
| 2011 | 130.9 | 139.9 |
| 2012 | 132.9 | 138.6 |
| 2013 | 122.3 | 138.5 |
| 2014 | 124.0 | 137.2 |
| 2015 | 127.9 | 142.0 |
| 2016 | 137.7 | 147.4 |
| 2017 | 147.7 | 148.2 |
| 2018 | 139.5 | 141.3 |
| 2019 | 141.6 | 144.2 |
| 2020 | 143.2 | 159.3 |
| 2021 | 138.4 | 146.6 |
| 2022 | 146.5 | 139.9 |
| 2023 | 151.6 | 153.5 |
| 2024 | 133.5 | 147.1 |
Other services
- Manchester, NH
- Bridgeport, CT
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Manchester, NH | Bridgeport, CT | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 108.8 | 107.5 |
| 2009 | 104.2 | 106.9 |
| 2010 | 102.4 | 104.6 |
| 2011 | 101.8 | 107.9 |
| 2012 | 99.5 | 105.4 |
| 2013 | 97.0 | 105.7 |
| 2014 | 98.1 | 107.4 |
| 2015 | 100.6 | 105.4 |
| 2016 | 105.7 | 105.9 |
| 2017 | 103.7 | 105.5 |
| 2018 | 100.6 | 100.2 |
| 2019 | 102.5 | 102.3 |
| 2020 | 103.4 | 102.4 |
| 2021 | 101.1 | 100.8 |
| 2022 | 106.0 | 104.9 |
| 2023 | 104.1 | 103.0 |
| 2024 | 103.7 | 102.7 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $2,880 in Bridgeport vs $2,165 in Manchester
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Manchester, NH
- Bridgeport, CT
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Manchester, NH | Bridgeport, CT | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,098 | $1,697 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,111 | $1,716 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,137 | $1,732 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,129 | $1,721 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,149 | $1,737 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,151 | $1,762 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,194 | $1,754 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,185 | $1,739 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,200 | $1,770 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,222 | $1,822 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,241 | $1,801 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,232 | $1,809 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,256 | $1,845 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,301 | $1,877 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,308 | $1,878 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,328 | $1,883 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,322 | $1,904 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,359 | $1,934 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,394 | $1,934 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,400 | $1,935 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,402 | $1,971 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,418 | $2,013 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,455 | $2,045 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,497 | $2,070 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,521 | $2,106 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,609 | $2,210 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,710 | $2,264 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,739 | $2,262 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,798 | $2,332 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,838 | $2,449 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,856 | $2,465 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,855 | $2,431 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,920 | $2,477 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,946 | $2,533 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,958 | $2,552 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,957 | $2,551 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,984 | $2,591 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $2,024 | $2,659 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $2,048 | $2,705 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $2,035 | $2,703 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $2,058 | $2,759 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $2,096 | $2,783 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $2,090 | $2,800 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $2,115 | $2,792 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,115 | $2,813 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,162 | $2,855 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $2,165 | $2,880 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $688,000 in Bridgeport vs $517,000 in Manchester
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Manchester, NH
- Bridgeport, CT
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Manchester, NH | Bridgeport, CT | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $231K | $397K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $234K | $398K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $239K | $400K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $244K | $404K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $246K | $404K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $249K | $403K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $251K | $402K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $256K | $405K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $260K | $409K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $266K | $413K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $270K | $411K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $275K | $413K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $278K | $414K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $283K | $415K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $287K | $414K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $289K | $415K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $290K | $414K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $295K | $413K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $299K | $411K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $303K | $412K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $309K | $418K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $315K | $418K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $324K | $423K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $341K | $448K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $358K | $472K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $379K | $494K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $384K | $499K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $383K | $502K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $406K | $525K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $431K | $549K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $431K | $553K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $433K | $550K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $438K | $551K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $448K | $566K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $461K | $587K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $469K | $603K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $476K | $614K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $488K | $626K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $493K | $630K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $499K | $632K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $502K | $635K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $502K | $641K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $506K | $648K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $512K | $657K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $514K | $668K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $513K | $677K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $517K | $688K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.