Bridgeport CT vs Fargo ND — 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%
Fargo, ND
North Dakota · Population: 129,064
- Median HH Income$66,029
- Median Home Price$318,584
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+43.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Fargo
129,064
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Fargo
9.7%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Fargo
8.3%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Fargo
3.9%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 129,064 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 9.7% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 22.4% | 8.3% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 3.9% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 3.7% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Fargo
$71,089
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $66,029 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $42,212 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $71,089 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 12.8% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 43.2% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Fargo
44.1%
Fargo +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $318,584 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 44.1% | Fargo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Fargo
288
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Fargo
2037
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 288 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2037 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Bridgeport +
Fargo
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 34.3% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 21.5% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 11.8% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Fargo
42.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Fargo
22.6 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 42.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 22.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 288 in Fargo. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, 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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