Asheville NC 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)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Asheville
N/A
Bridgeport
148,012
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Bridgeport
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Bridgeport
36.4
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Bridgeport
32.9%
White
Asheville
N/A
Bridgeport
34.8%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Bridgeport
22.4%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Bridgeport
5.4%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Bridgeport
44.6%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Bridgeport
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 148,012 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 36.4 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 32.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 34.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 22.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.4% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 44.6% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Bridgeport
$56,584
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Bridgeport
$30,658
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Bridgeport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Bridgeport
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Bridgeport
23.1%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $56,584 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $30,658 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,393 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 8.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 22.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 23.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Bridgeport
$361,669
Bridgeport +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Bridgeport
43.3%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $361,669 | Bridgeport + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 43.3% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 156 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1524 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Bridgeport
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Bridgeport
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Bridgeport
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Bridgeport
21.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Bridgeport
14.3%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 33.5% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.0% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.3% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 21.4% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.0% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.3% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Bridgeport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Bridgeport
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Bridgeport
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Bridgeport
31.6 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 31.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Bridgeport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $361,669. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Asheville. Bridgeport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
Compare More Cities
Asheville, NC vs New York, NYAsheville, NC vs Los Angeles, CAAsheville, NC vs Chicago, ILAsheville, NC vs Houston, TXAsheville, NC vs Phoenix, AZAsheville, NC vs Philadelphia, PA