Bristol 80 Exceptional
Bristol Livability #23 ranked city in Connecticut#1,626 ranked city in the USARanks better than 94% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
  • Uncover the key details before you move
  • Use local data to guide a smarter investment
  • Compare neighborhoods side by side
Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Bristol

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    An abundance of amenities, including restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and fitness facilities, are conveniently situated within walking distance of the area.

  • Crime Crime

    With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.

  • Housing Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

What's it like Living in Bristol?

Bristol, Connecticut is a medium-sized city with a population of 61,512 inhabitants. According to the most recent Census, 81% of Bristol residents are White, 6% Black and 2% Asian. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Bristol is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 25 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.

Living in Bristol can be a positive experience for anyone moving to the town. Having said that, in the state of Connecticut, there are many amazing places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. To help you find the best places to live in and around Bristol, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, cost of living, commute, education, housing and more.

Bristol, CT receives 79 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #20 in Connecticut and #1,858 in the USA. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Bristol could be a great choice! The cherry on top is that Bristol also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. For each of the livability categories, we know that Bristol ranks very well for amenities (A-), crime (A+), employment (B) and housing (A+).

If you're considering living in Bristol, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, Bristol provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Lake Compounce, American Clock and Watch Museum, and New England Carousel Museum.

Crime rates can be the deciding factor for anyone looking to relocate to a new area, as the result is often a greater level of safety and security as well as an improved quality of life. Bristol gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 58 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Bristol has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Bristol is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Bristol come in at $361,299, which is 26.2% lower than the Connecticut average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Bristol, the home price to income ratio is 3.6, which is 21.7% lower than the Connecticut average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Bristol

See all the best places to live around Bristol

How Do You Rate The Livability In Bristol?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Bristol, CT Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      Compare Neighborhoods & Addresses Local Insights Report

      Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.

      Local Insights Report

      Bristol transportation information

      Statistic Bristol Connecticut National
      Average one way commute25min26min26min
      Workers who drive to work81.1%78.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.9%8.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.5%4.9%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.0%2.9%2.8%
      Working from home4.6%4.6%4.6%
      Source: The Bristol, CT data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.