Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Bridgeport
148,012
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Bridgeport
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Bridgeport
36.4
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Bridgeport
34.8%
Bridgeport +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Bridgeport
22.4%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Bridgeport
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 148,012 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 36.4 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 32.9% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 27.4% | 34.8% | Bridgeport + |
| Black | 60.0% | 22.4% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.4% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 44.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
Bridgeport
$56,584
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Bridgeport
$30,658
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
Bridgeport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Baltimore +
Bridgeport
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Bridgeport
23.1%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $56,584 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $30,658 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $85,393 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 8.9% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 22.5% | Baltimore + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 23.1% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Bridgeport
$361,669
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Bridgeport
43.3%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $361,669 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 43.3% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 156 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1524 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Bridgeport
33.5%
Bridgeport +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Bridgeport
13.0%
Bridgeport +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Bridgeport
18.3%
Bridgeport +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Bridgeport
21.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Bridgeport
14.3%
Bridgeport +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 33.5% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.0% | Bridgeport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.3% | Bridgeport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 21.4% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.0% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.3% | Bridgeport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Bridgeport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Bridgeport
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Bridgeport
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 31.6 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Baltimore has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bridgeport scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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