Bridgeport CT vs Carmel IN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Bridgeport, CT
Connecticut · Population: 148,012
- Median HH Income$56,584
- Median Home Price$361,669
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+23.1%
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Carmel
100,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Carmel
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Bridgeport +
Carmel
40.5
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Carmel
12.9%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Carmel
3.7%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Carmel
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Carmel
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 100,501 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 40.5 | Bridgeport + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 12.9% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 77.5% | Carmel + |
| Black | 22.4% | 3.7% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 11.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 5.0% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Carmel
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $134,602 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $71,546 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $58,697 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 2.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 74.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Bridgeport +
Carmel
$570,592
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $570,592 | Bridgeport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 74.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Carmel
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Carmel
1719
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 370 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1719 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Carmel
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 30.8% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.6% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 12.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 4.4% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.2% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 8.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Carmel
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Carmel
42.2 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 42.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Bridgeport +
Carmel
55.0%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bridgeport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 26.4 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, 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 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Bridgeport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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