Berkeley 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Bridgeport
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Bridgeport
36.4
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Bridgeport
34.8%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Bridgeport
5.4%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Bridgeport
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 148,012 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 36.4 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 32.9% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 54.8% | 34.8% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 22.4% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 5.4% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 44.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Bridgeport
$56,584
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Bridgeport
$30,658
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
Bridgeport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Bridgeport
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Bridgeport
23.1%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $56,584 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $30,658 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 8.9% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 22.5% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 23.1% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Bridgeport
$361,669
Bridgeport +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Berkeley +
Bridgeport
43.3%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $361,669 | Bridgeport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 43.3% | Berkeley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
| Metric | Berkeley, 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
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Bridgeport
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Bridgeport
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Bridgeport
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Bridgeport
21.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Bridgeport
14.3%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 33.5% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.0% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 18.3% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 21.4% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.0% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 14.3% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Bridgeport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Bridgeport
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Bridgeport
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, 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
Berkeley
32.2 min
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Bridgeport +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Bridgeport, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 31.6 min | Bridgeport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 Berkeley. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Bridgeport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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