Bridgeport CT vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Hartford
23.0%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Bridgeport +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 119,970 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 23.0% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 26.4% | Bridgeport + |
| Black | 22.4% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 2.3% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Bridgeport +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Bridgeport +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Hartford
$85,393
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Bridgeport +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Bridgeport +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Bridgeport +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $45,300 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $27,319 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $85,393 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 10.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 25.5% | Bridgeport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 18.3% | Bridgeport + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Bridgeport +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 25.8% | Bridgeport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Hartford
156
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Hartford
1524
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 156 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1524 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Bridgeport +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Bridgeport +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Bridgeport +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Hartford
20.3%
Hartford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Bridgeport +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 40.4% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.8% | Bridgeport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 20.8% | Bridgeport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 20.3% | Hartford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.3% | Bridgeport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Hartford
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 24.4 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bridgeport leads in median household income at $56,584, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 156 in Bridgeport. Bridgeport has a lower unemployment rate at 8.9%, and Hartford 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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