Bristol, CT vs Meriden, CT

Bristol, CT and Meriden, CT have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.8% difference in their overall index. Bristol scores 95 while Meriden scores 91 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bristol is $1,305/month compared to $1,243/month in Meriden — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Meriden is more affordable at $221,600 median vs $252,300.

Median household income in Bristol is $83,458 compared to $68,617 in Meriden (+21.6%). While Bristol is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bristol spend roughly 18.8% of their income on rent, less than the 21.7% in Meriden.