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Retirement community in Bristol, Connecticut

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Bristol, Connecticut Retirement Guide

47

Retirement Score

Bristol, Connecticut at a Glance

Median Home Price
$235,700
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security and pension income have income-based exemptions/deductions.
Avg January Low
35.7°F
Cost of Living Index
106.4 (US avg = 100)
RetireCityIQ Score
47 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Bristol, Connecticut, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
106.4 (U.S. avg = 100)Low confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$82,094High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Bristol's cost of living is 6.400000000000006% above the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$235,700High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,228High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
65.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Bristol using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$511

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$574

Median home price used: $235,700

Median rent reference: $1,228 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Bristol, Connecticut after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
19.3 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated October 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
19.3 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
47.7 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Bristol scores 19.3 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Bristol

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Bristol →

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
30 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security and pension income have income-based exemptions/deductions.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026

Connecticut has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
69.1°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026
Avg January Low
35.7°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026
Annual Precipitation
40.5"Medium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026
Sunny Days / Year
229 daysMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026

With 229 sunny days a year and an average January low of 35.7°F, Bristol offers a traditional winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
100 / 100Low confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
16.1 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
3.1 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
61,052High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Age
37.5High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Age 65+
15.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Veterans
5.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
29.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
70.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Black
7.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Hispanic/Latino
20.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Asian
3.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Bristol

What is the cost of living in Bristol, Connecticut for retirees?▾

The cost-of-living index is 106, roughly 6% above the national average of 100. Median home price is around $235,700.

Does Connecticut tax Social Security or retirement income?▾

For Connecticut residents: State income tax; Social Security and pension income have income-based exemptions/deductions.

What is the climate like in Bristol, Connecticut?▾

Bristol, Connecticut has January average low around 36°F, July average high around 69°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Bristol, Connecticut?▾

Bristol scores 19/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a limited score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Local Professionals

Financial Advisors

WILLIAM JOSEPH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.

Financial Advisor

WILLIAM JOSEPH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.

Financial Advisor

WILLIAM JOSEPH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.

Financial Advisor

+16 more financial advisors available

Interested in Bristol? Talk to a Local Expert.

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