CostIndexUSA

Bridgeport, CT vs Cary, NC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CT
Bridgeport
106.9
overall index
$2,725/mo rent
More AffordableNC
Cary
98.2
overall index
$1,650/mo rent

Cary is moderately cheaper than Bridgeport — 8.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bridgeport, you would need $73,500 in Cary. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing31.2%
Bridgeport
150.5
Cary
103.5
🛒 Groceries0.7%
Bridgeport
97.3
Cary
96.6
🚗 Transportation4.4%
Bridgeport
107.8
Cary
103.1
🏥 Healthcare4.3%
Bridgeport
97.5
Cary
93.3
Utilities39.5%
Bridgeport
147.1
Cary
89

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Bridgeport to see what you'd need to earn in Cary to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Cary, NC
$73,500
$6,500 less needed in Cary

Formula: salary × (98.2 ÷ 106.9) = salary × 0.9186. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bridgeport, CT

Median Home Price
$652,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,725
Housing Index
150.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.9×

Cary, NC

Median Home Price
$428,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
103.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.6×

Bridgeport has 31.2% lower housing costs compared to Cary.

Income & Job Market

Bridgeport, CT

Median Household Income
$111,100
Per Capita Income
$63,300
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
145,936
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareManufacturingTechnologyEducation

Cary, NC

Median Household Income
$96,100
Per Capita Income
$54,800
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
174,721
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceHealthcareEducationResearch

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Bridgeport, CT
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Cary, NC
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.