Albany NY vs Bridgeport CT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Bridgeport, CT
Connecticut · Population: 148,012
- Median HH Income$56,584
- Median Home Price$361,669
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+23.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Bridgeport
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Bridgeport
36.4
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Bridgeport
34.8%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Bridgeport
22.4%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Bridgeport
5.4%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Bridgeport
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 148,012 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.4 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 32.9% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 53.0% | 34.8% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 22.4% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 5.4% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 44.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Albany +
Bridgeport
$56,584
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Bridgeport
$30,658
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Albany +
Bridgeport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Bridgeport
22.5%
Bridgeport +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Bridgeport
23.1%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $56,584 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $30,658 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $85,393 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 8.9% | Albany + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 22.5% | Bridgeport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 23.1% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Bridgeport
$361,669
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Bridgeport
43.3%
Bridgeport +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $361,669 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 43.3% | Bridgeport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 156 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1524 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Bridgeport
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Bridgeport
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Bridgeport
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Bridgeport
21.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Bridgeport
14.3%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 33.5% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.0% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.3% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 21.4% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.0% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 14.3% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Bridgeport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Bridgeport
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Bridgeport
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Bridgeport
31.6 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 31.6 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $59,485, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Albany has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, and Bridgeport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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