Bridgeport CT vs Cary NC — 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%
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Bridgeport +
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Cary
23.7%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Cary
7.6%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Cary
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 176,686 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 39.8 | Bridgeport + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 23.7% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 60.1% | Cary + |
| Black | 22.4% | 7.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 20.4% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 9.3% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Cary
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $129,399 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $64,590 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $59,120 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 3.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 70.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Bridgeport +
Cary
$629,864
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $629,864 | Bridgeport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 66.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Cary
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Cary
1999
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 398 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1999 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Cary
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 25.3% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.6% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 12.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 6.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.3% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 7.7% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Cary
59.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Cary
46.3 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Cary
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Cary
24.3 min
Cary +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 24.3 min | Cary + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, 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 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Bridgeport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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