Bridgeport CT vs Fort Wayne IN — 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%
Fort Wayne, IN
Indiana · Population: 266,235
- Median HH Income$60,293
- Median Home Price$245,993
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Fort Wayne
9.0%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 266,235 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.0 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 9.0% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 22.4% | 14.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 10.5% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $60,293 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $32,884 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $58,697 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 28.5% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Fort Wayne +
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $245,993 | Fort Wayne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Fort Wayne
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Fort Wayne
1719
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 370 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1719 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Bridgeport +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Bridgeport +
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Bridgeport +
Fort Wayne
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Bridgeport +
Fort Wayne
15.8%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 40.7% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.8% | Bridgeport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.4% | Bridgeport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 10.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.7% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.8% | Bridgeport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Bridgeport +
Fort Wayne
55.0%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bridgeport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 22.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while fort Wayne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,993. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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