CostIndexUSA

Bridgeport, CT vs Santa Barbara, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCT
Bridgeport
106.9
overall index
$2,725/mo rent
CA
Santa Barbara
108.8
overall index
$2,275/mo rent

Bridgeport is slightly cheaper than Santa Barbara — 1.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bridgeport, you would need $81,400 in Santa Barbara. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+0.6%
Bridgeport
150.5
Santa Barbara
151.4
🛒 Groceries+8.1%
Bridgeport
97.3
Santa Barbara
105.2
🚗 Transportation2.3%
Bridgeport
107.8
Santa Barbara
105.3
🏥 Healthcare2.3%
Bridgeport
97.5
Santa Barbara
95.3
Utilities+1.8%
Bridgeport
147.1
Santa Barbara
149.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Barbara, CA
$81,400
$1,400 more needed in Santa Barbara

Formula: salary × (108.8 ÷ 106.9) = salary × 1.0178. 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×

Santa Barbara, CA

Median Home Price
$510,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,275
Housing Index
151.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.7×

Santa Barbara has 0.6% higher housing costs compared to Bridgeport.

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

Santa Barbara, CA

Median Household Income
$91,200
Per Capita Income
$52,000
Unemployment Rate
6.1%
Population
88,255
Top Industries
EducationTourismTechnologyHealthcareBiotechnology

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)

Santa Barbara, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.