Bridgeport CT vs Clearwater FL — 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%
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Clearwater
117,075
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Bridgeport +
Clearwater
46.4
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Clearwater
17.0%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Clearwater
10.2%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Clearwater
3.6%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Clearwater
17.1%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 117,075 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 46.4 | Bridgeport + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 17.0% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 70.3% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 22.4% | 10.2% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 3.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 17.1% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Clearwater
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $64,440 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $42,934 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $65,328 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 4.7% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 15.4% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 32.5% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $341,503 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 59.1% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Clearwater
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 324 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1453 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Bridgeport +
Clearwater
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Clearwater
14.7%
Clearwater +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Clearwater
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 33.3% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.5% | Bridgeport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.8% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 14.7% | Clearwater + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.0% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Clearwater
73.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Clearwater
54.7 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 73.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Clearwater
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 25.3 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Clearwater. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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