Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Bridgeport
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Bridgeport
36.4
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Bridgeport
34.8%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Bridgeport
22.4%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Bridgeport
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 148,012 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 36.4 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 32.9% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 57.6% | 34.8% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 22.4% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 5.4% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 44.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Bridgeport
$56,584
Bridgeport +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
Bridgeport
$30,658
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Bridgeport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Bridgeport
22.5%
Bridgeport +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Bridgeport
23.1%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $56,584 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $30,658 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $85,393 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 8.9% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 22.5% | Bridgeport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 23.1% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Bridgeport
$361,669
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Bridgeport
43.3%
Bridgeport +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $361,669 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 43.3% | Bridgeport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 156 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1524 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Bridgeport
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Bridgeport
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Bridgeport
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Bridgeport
21.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Bridgeport
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Bridgeport
14.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 21.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Bridgeport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Bridgeport
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Bridgeport
75.0%
Bridgeport +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Bridgeport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Bridgeport
31.6 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 31.6 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bridgeport leads in median household income at $56,584, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Bridgeport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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