Bridgeport CT vs Charlotte 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%
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Charlotte
18.1%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Charlotte
41.5%
Charlotte +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Charlotte
17.0%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 886,283 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.4 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 18.1% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 41.5% | Charlotte + |
| Black | 22.4% | 34.1% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 6.3% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 17.0% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Charlotte
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $78,438 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $49,991 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $59,120 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 4.4% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 11.7% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 47.4% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Bridgeport +
Charlotte
$399,070
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $399,070 | Bridgeport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 51.5% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Charlotte
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Charlotte
1999
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Charlotte, 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%
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Charlotte
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 30.1% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.1% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.4% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 11.4% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.4% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 11.4% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Charlotte
59.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Charlotte
41.6 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Charlotte
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Charlotte, 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
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 26.7 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, 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 Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Bridgeport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
Compare More Cities
Bridgeport, CT vs New York, NYBridgeport, CT vs Los Angeles, CABridgeport, CT vs Chicago, ILBridgeport, CT vs Houston, TXBridgeport, CT vs Phoenix, AZBridgeport, CT vs Philadelphia, PA