Bridgeport vs Chattanooga: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Bridgeport, Connecticut compare to Chattanooga, Tennessee? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Bridgeport is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 1% lower in Bridgeport compared to Chattanooga, while rent is 28% higher. TN has no state income tax.
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Chattanooga, TN | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $227,200 | $230,500 | -1.4% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,369 | $1,066 | +28.4% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $54,440 | $57,703 | -5.7% |
| Per Capita Income | $29,506 | $37,983 | -22.3% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 7.0% | None | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 6.3% | 9.5% | -33.5% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 148,470 | 181,288 | -18.1% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Bridgeport
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Chattanooga
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Bridgeport costs $227,200 compared to $230,500 in Chattanooga — a 1% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,369/mo in Bridgeport vs $1,066/mo in Chattanooga.
- Income: Median household income is $54,440 in Bridgeport and $57,703 in Chattanooga.
- Taxes: Tennessee has no state income tax, while Connecticut has a 6.99% rate.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).