Bridgeport CT vs Charleston WV — 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, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Charleston
47,918
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Bridgeport +
Charleston
42.6
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Charleston
3.9%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Charleston
11.8%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Charleston
2.7%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Charleston
1.9%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 47,918 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 42.6 | Bridgeport + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 3.9% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 76.6% | Charleston + |
| Black | 22.4% | 11.8% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 2.7% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 1.9% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Charleston
$50,163
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Charleston
6.3%
Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $64,512 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $45,967 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $50,163 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 6.3% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 16.5% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 44.1% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $164,532 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 62.7% | 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, WV | 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%
Bridgeport +
Charleston
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Bridgeport +
Charleston
15.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Bridgeport +
Charleston
20.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Charleston
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Bridgeport +
Charleston
17.7%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 40.2% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 20.2% | Bridgeport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 7.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.3% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.7% | Bridgeport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Charleston
53.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Charleston
46.2 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Bridgeport +
Charleston
55.0%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bridgeport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Charleston, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 19.2 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $64,512, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. 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 6.3%, and Bridgeport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bridgeport scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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