Cost of Living in Bristol, CT
Updated November 2026 · Naugatuck Valley Planning Region · Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area · population 61,462
Prices in Bristol are 1.9% below the US average (local index 98.1; the BEA index for the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area is 99.8), with local housing the biggest saving at 87.1; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,685 a month and the median rent is $1,338.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Bristol's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area, unchanged.
Bristol price index by category, US average = 100: All items 98.1, Housing (rents) 87.1, Goods 97.3, Utilities 147.6, Other services 102.7
It is the 13th most expensive of the 14 Connecticut cities in our data. Cheaper than 65% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 101.3 | 103.4 | 99.6 | 102.5 | 101.0 | 99.8 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Bristol, CT
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $899 | $10,788 | 33% |
| Utilities | $366 | $4,392 | 14% |
| Food at home | $275 | $3,300 | 10% |
| Transportation | $619 | $7,428 | 23% |
| Health care | $361 | $4,332 | 13% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $165 | $1,980 | 6% |
| Total | $2,685 | $32,220 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Bristol, CT
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,162 | $13,944 | 26% |
| Utilities | $584 | $7,008 | 13% |
| Food at home | $507 | $6,084 | 11% |
| Transportation | $1,226 | $14,712 | 27% |
| Health care | $669 | $8,028 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $325 | $3,900 | 7% |
| Total | $4,473 | $53,676 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Bristol, CT
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,377 | $16,524 | 25% |
| Utilities | $711 | $8,532 | 13% |
| Food at home | $723 | $8,676 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,631 | $19,572 | 30% |
| Health care | $623 | $7,476 | 11% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $419 | $5,028 | 8% |
| Total | $5,484 | $65,808 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Bristol
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,282 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,099 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,421 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,684 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,223 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,338 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $1,094 |
| Median home value | $277,800 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,999/mo |
| Median household income | $79,076 |
| Rent as % of renter income Expensive | 32.0% |
| Home value ÷ household income Affordable | 3.5× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Connecticut
24.51¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: −18.8% (from 30.17¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 702 kWh a month in Connecticut ≈ $192/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline regional figure: New England (PADD 1A)
$4.14 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +41.4% (from $2.93) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey; Connecticut is covered by the New England (PADD 1A) average.
Inflation in the Northeast
Consumer prices in the Northeast Census region rose +4.2% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Bristol are 1.9% below the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $61,200 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 98.1. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Britain, CT | 8 mi | 100.0 | $2,572 | $1,253 |
| Waterbury, CT | 10 mi | 96.8 | $2,521 | $1,225 |
| West Hartford, CT | 11 mi | 107.2 | $3,178 | $1,756 |
| Meriden, CT | 13 mi | 101.3 | $2,672 | $1,294 |
| Hartford, CT | 15 mi | 100.3 | $2,722 | $1,269 |
| East Hartford, CT | 18 mi | 99.6 | $2,746 | $1,225 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston, SC | 98.1 | $2,777 | $1,430 |
| Gary, IN | 98.2 | $2,268 | $1,012 |
| Lakeland, FL | 98.2 | $2,693 | $1,395 |
| Raleigh, NC | 98.0 | $2,883 | $1,572 |
| Conroe, TX | 98.0 | $2,794 | $1,393 |
| New Bedford, MA | 98.2 | $2,465 | $1,137 |
Compare Bristol with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Bristol, CT an expensive place to live?
Bristol has a local cost of living index of 98.1, which is 1.9% below the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area (99.8) and adjusts housing to Bristol's own rents. It is 5.5 points below the Connecticut average. It is the 13th most expensive of the 14 Connecticut cities in our data. Cheaper than 65% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Bristol?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,685 for a single adult, $4,473 for a couple and $5,484 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $58,900 in Bristol.
What is the average rent in Bristol?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $1,338 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $1,099, 2 bedrooms $1,421, 3 bedrooms $1,684. The typical renter spends 32.0% of household income on rent (expensive).
How much does a house cost in Bristol?
The median owner-estimated home value is $277,800, 3.5 times the median household income of $79,076 (affordable). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,999 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Bristol?
Connecticut residential electricity averaged 24.51¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $4.14 a gallon (New England (PADD 1A) average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 99.8) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 0908420 (Bristol city).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Connecticut residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, New England (PADD 1A), week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U Northeast region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
- Gasoline price: regional figure (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources