Bridgeport CT vs Chicago IL — 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%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Chicago
20.7%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Chicago
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.7 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 20.7% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 39.1% | Chicago + |
| Black | 22.4% | 28.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 7.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 29.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Chicago
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Chicago
7.9%
Chicago +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $75,134 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $48,148 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $68,110 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 7.9% | Chicago + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 16.8% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 43.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $324,183 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 45.5% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Chicago
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Chicago
1842
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 344 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1842 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 32.6% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.0% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 13.6% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 19.0% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 11.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Chicago
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Chicago
37.8 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Bridgeport +
Chicago
55.0%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bridgeport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Bridgeport +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 36.5 min | Bridgeport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Chicago has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Bridgeport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
Compare More Cities
Bridgeport, CT vs New York, NYBridgeport, CT vs Los Angeles, CABridgeport, CT vs Houston, TXBridgeport, CT vs Phoenix, AZBridgeport, CT vs Philadelphia, PABridgeport, CT vs San Antonio, TX