Bridgeport CT vs Charleston SC — 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%
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Charleston
5.4%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Charleston
17.4%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Charleston
2.2%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Charleston
5.9%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 152,014 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 36.1 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 5.4% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 72.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 22.4% | 17.4% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 2.2% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 5.9% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $90,038 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $58,583 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $54,550 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 3.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 12.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 57.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Bridgeport +
Charleston
$593,739
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $593,739 | Bridgeport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 55.6% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Charleston
1999
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Charleston, SC | 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%
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Charleston
22.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 28.7% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 15.1% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 8.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 22.9% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Charleston
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Charleston
51.0 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 25.4 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, 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 Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Bridgeport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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