Bridgeport CT vs Durham 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%
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Durham
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Durham
15.3%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Durham
14.7%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Durham
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 288,465 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.8 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 15.3% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 44.0% | Durham + |
| Black | 22.4% | 34.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 5.6% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 14.7% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Durham
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $79,234 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $47,246 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $59,120 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 4.2% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 12.2% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 55.7% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Bridgeport +
Durham
$399,509
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $399,509 | Bridgeport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 51.8% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Durham
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Durham
1999
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Durham, 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%
Bridgeport +
Durham
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Durham
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 36.8% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.2% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.2% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 10.7% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 11.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Durham
57.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Durham
47.8 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Durham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Durham, 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
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 24.3 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, 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 Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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