Bakersfield CA 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)
Bakersfield, CA
California · Population: 408,366
- Median HH Income$77,397
- Median Home Price$396,712
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
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
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Bridgeport
148,012
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Bridgeport
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Bridgeport
36.4
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Bridgeport
34.8%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Bridgeport
5.4%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Bridgeport
44.6%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Bridgeport
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 148,012 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.4 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 32.9% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 46.9% | 34.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 22.4% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 5.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 44.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Bridgeport
$56,584
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Bridgeport
$30,658
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bakersfield +
Bridgeport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Bridgeport
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Bakersfield +
Bridgeport
23.1%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $56,584 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $30,658 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 8.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 22.5% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 23.1% | Bakersfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bridgeport
$361,669
Bridgeport +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Bridgeport
43.3%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $361,669 | Bridgeport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 43.3% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bridgeport
33.5%
Bridgeport +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Bridgeport
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Bridgeport
18.3%
Bridgeport +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Bakersfield +
Bridgeport
21.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Bridgeport
14.3%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 33.5% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.3% | Bridgeport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 21.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.0% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.3% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Bridgeport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bridgeport
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Bridgeport
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Bridgeport
31.6 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 31.6 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while 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 503 in Bakersfield. Bakersfield has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Bridgeport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bridgeport scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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