Bridgeport CT vs Dayton OH — 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%
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Dayton
136,741
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 136,741 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 5.0% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 51.3% | Dayton + |
| Black | 22.4% | 38.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 1.2% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 5.5% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Bridgeport +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Bridgeport +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Dayton
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Bridgeport +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Bridgeport +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Bridgeport +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $43,454 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $26,381 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $58,300 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 9.7% | Bridgeport + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 27.1% | Bridgeport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 20.7% | Bridgeport + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 48.2% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Dayton
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Dayton
1866
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 319 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1866 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Bridgeport +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Bridgeport +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Bridgeport +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Dayton
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Bridgeport +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 42.9% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 17.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 21.6% | Bridgeport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 11.2% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 20.5% | Bridgeport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Dayton
54.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Dayton
40.3 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 40.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Bridgeport +
Dayton
55.0%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bridgeport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 22.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bridgeport leads in median household income at $56,584, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Dayton. Bridgeport has a lower unemployment rate at 8.9%, 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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