CostIndexUSA

Bridgeport, CT vs Charleston, SC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CT
Bridgeport
106.9
overall index
$2,725/mo rent
More AffordableSC
Charleston
101
overall index
$1,950/mo rent

Charleston is moderately cheaper than Bridgeport — 5.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bridgeport, you would need $75,600 in Charleston. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing20.4%
Bridgeport
150.5
Charleston
119.8
🛒 Groceries1.0%
Bridgeport
97.3
Charleston
96.3
🚗 Transportation4.3%
Bridgeport
107.8
Charleston
103.2
🏥 Healthcare4.2%
Bridgeport
97.5
Charleston
93.4
Utilities40.0%
Bridgeport
147.1
Charleston
88.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Charleston, SC
$75,600
$4,400 less needed in Charleston

Formula: salary × (101 ÷ 106.9) = salary × 0.9448. 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×

Charleston, SC

Median Home Price
$425,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,950
Housing Index
119.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

Bridgeport has 20.4% lower housing costs compared to Charleston.

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

Charleston, SC

Median Household Income
$85,200
Per Capita Income
$48,600
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
150,227
Top Industries
MilitaryTourismHealthcareTechnologyManufacturing

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)

Charleston, SC
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.