Bridgeport CT vs Detroit MI — 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%
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Detroit
5.9%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Bridgeport +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Detroit
1.6%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Detroit
8.0%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 636,644 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.1 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 5.9% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 11.7% | Bridgeport + |
| Black | 22.4% | 76.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 1.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 8.0% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Bridgeport +
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Bridgeport +
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Detroit
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Bridgeport +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Bridgeport +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Bridgeport +
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $39,575 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $24,029 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $58,052 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 14.1% | Bridgeport + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 31.5% | Bridgeport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 17.6% | Bridgeport + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 49.7% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Detroit
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Detroit
1590
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 471 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1590 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Bridgeport +
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Bridgeport +
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Bridgeport +
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Bridgeport +
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 45.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 19.2% | Bridgeport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 22.6% | Bridgeport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 11.6% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 21.8% | Bridgeport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Detroit
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Detroit
31.3 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 31.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Bridgeport +
Detroit
55.0%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bridgeport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 27.3 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bridgeport leads in median household income at $56,584, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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