C
8%
Overall NAT. AVG.
8%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
10%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Bristol Connecticut National
Cost of living108118100
Goods & Services108109100
Groceries101102100
Health care103109100
Housing110137100
Transportation96100100
Utilities127130100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Bristol, CT

Knowing the cost of living in Bristol allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Bristol stands at 108, marking it 8% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Bristol closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Bristol can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Bristol Affordable?

Is Bristol an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Bristol is 7.5% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 15.2% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Bristol has a median household income of $68,485, which is 23.8% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Bristol?

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Bristol, healthcare costs are 2.8% higher than the national average.

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Bristol, the housing index is 9.8% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Bristol displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Bristol is 8% lower than the Connecticut average
  • The cost of living in Bristol is 8% higher than the national average
  • Bristol housing is 10% higher than the national average
  • Connecticut general sales tax is 24% higher than the national average
  • Connecticut state income tax is 16% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Bristol

See all the best places to live around Bristol

Compare Bristol, CT Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$90,161$7,513$2,104$2,705
      Renters$39,074$3,256$912$1,172
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Bristol, CT, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Bristol have a median income of $90,161. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $2,104 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $39,074, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $912.

      Connecticut Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Connecticut 6.35% 6.35%

      Connecticut Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Connecticut 3% 6.99%

      Goods & Services

      Item Bristol National avg. Difference
      Haircut $33.78$24.2639.2%
      Beauty Salon $58.55$45.5628.5%
      Toothpaste $3.65$3.701.5%
      Shampoo $1.42$1.2810.9%
      Movie $12.85$12.135.9%
      Bowling $18.33$18.001.9%

      Groceries

      Item Bristol National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.23$5.846.7%
      Fried Chicken $1.46$1.577.4%
      Milk $4.73$4.671.2%
      Potatoes $4.96$4.930.6%
      Pizza $10.79$12.0910.7%
      Beer $10.49$10.410.8%

      Health Care

      Item Bristol National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $166.22$125.6832.3%
      Doctor $182.50$135.7834.4%
      Dentist $127.00$113.2912.1%
      Ibuprofen $10.89$10.652.2%
      Lipitor $384.88$468.6017.9%

      Housing

      Item Bristol National avg. Difference
      Home Price $198,600.00$184,700.007.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,110.08$2,346.6910.1%
      Apartment Rent $1,093.00$949.0015.2%

      Transportation

      Item Bristol National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.34$3.463.4%
      Tire Balancing $71.63$59.9219.5%

      Utilities

      Item Bristol National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $302.09$193.9955.7%
      Phone $185.16$192.253.7%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Waterbury, CT107,8411011.1%
      Torrington, CT34,2591021.5%
      Blue Hills, CT2,6001022.0%
      New Britain, CT72,5431033.2%
      Hartford, CT122,5491043.9%
      Bristol, CT60,0391087.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Ocala, FL60,021928.1%
      Utica, NY59,984954.6%
      Taylorsville, UT59,92611312.8%
      La Mesa, CA60,20815959.3%
      West Allis, WI59,861964.4%
      Bristol, CT60,0391087.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.