Bridgeport CT vs Grand Rapids 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%
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Grand Rapids
11.3%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 197,768 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 11.3% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 22.4% | 17.9% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 2.9% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 16.1% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $65,526 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $33,953 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $58,052 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 18.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 40.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $309,801 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 54.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Grand Rapids
1590
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Grand Rapids, 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 +
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Bridgeport +
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 36.4% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.9% | Bridgeport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.1°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 +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Bridgeport +
Grand Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Grand Rapids, 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
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, 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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