Bridgeport CT vs Gastonia 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%
Gastonia, NC
North Carolina · Population: 81,632
- Median HH Income$60,554
- Median Home Price$279,838
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+27.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Bridgeport +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 81,632 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.2 | Bridgeport + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 7.3% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 22.4% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 1.2% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 11.4% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $60,554 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $33,611 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $59,120 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 27.7% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Gastonia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Gastonia
1999
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Gastonia, 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 +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Bridgeport +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Gastonia
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Bridgeport +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 37.8% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.5% | Bridgeport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 12.5% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.2% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.6% | Bridgeport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Gastonia, 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
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 28.1 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, 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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