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City Report · CT

Bristol

Pop. 61,462·48th most expensive in Connecticut·Bristol rents are up 11.5% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,679/mo
Year-over-Year
+11.5%
Month-over-Month
+1.6%
vs US Median
-$286
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Bristol · $1,679
More affordable than 63% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
48/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Bristol's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$1,679/mo
Expected by trend
$1,660/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Bristol's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,080
1 BR
$1,240
2 BR
$1,570
3 BR
$1,890
4 BR+
$2,240
Research median
$1,570/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$20,148/yr
At $1,679/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 11.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+11.5% YoY, +1.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Bristol, CT is majority owner-occupied, 30.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
61,462
Median income
$79,076
Median age
37.9
Renters
35.1%
Age distribution
20.1%
24.7%
26.7%
12.3%
16.2%
Under 1820.1%
18–3424.7%
35–5426.7%
55–6412.3%
65+16.2%
Gender
50.6%
49.4%
Male50.6%
Female49.4%
Race & ethnicity
65.8%
21%
White65.8%
Black7.9%
Hispanic21%
Asian4.2%
Other1%
Education (25+)
32.4%
30.7%
30.3%
No HS diploma6.6%
HS diploma32.4%
Some college30.7%
Bachelor's+30.3%
Housing tenure
64.9%
35.1%
Owner64.9%
Renter35.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2022 vs 2026

How Bristol, CT has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,183 → $1,679
up 41.9%
Income
$73,604 → $79,076
up 7.4%
Population
60,733 → 61,462
up 1.2%
Renter share
36% → 35.1%
-0.9 pts
Bachelor's+
27.5% → 30.3%
+2.8 pts
Median age
40.2 → 37.9
-2.3 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Bristol, CT paid around $1,183 a month. That figure now sits near $1,679, up 41.9% from the 2022 baseline. Household income in the area moved from $73,604 to $79,076 across the same window, up 7.4% versus 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Bristol, CT adding about 729 residents over the five-year window, up 1.2% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 27.5% to 30.3% across the same window. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Bristol, CT look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Bristol

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View Bristol rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Bristol on your salary?

At $1,679/mo, how Bristol rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Bristol rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Bristol. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Bristol

About renting in Bristol, CT

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Bristol is $1,679/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,080/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,570/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,240/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,890/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($79,076/yr), Bristol ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 11.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Bristol an affordable city for renters?

Bristol is considered affordable for renters. At $1,679/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($79,076/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Bristol falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Bristol?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $67,000/year (~$32/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,679/mo in Bristol. The local median household income is $79,076/yr, meaning the typical Bristol household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Bristol?

Rent in Bristol has increased 11.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Bristol rent compare to other cities in Connecticut?

Bristol is one of the more affordable cities in Connecticut for rent, ranking #48 out of 56 tracked cities at $1,679/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Bristol?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Bristol ($1,679/mo): Plainville ($1,460/mo), Waterbury ($1,554/mo), New Britain ($1,627/mo).

What percentage of Bristol residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 35.1% of Bristol households are renters, while 64.9% are owner-occupied. Bristol leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Bristol rent compare to the national average?

Bristol's median rent of $1,679/mo is $286 (15%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Connecticut, it ranks #48 out of 56 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,679/mo, rent takes ~25% of Bristol's median household income ($79,076/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Bristol 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3–6.99%
Run the Bristol affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Bristol
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Bristol, CT

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