Bridgeport CT vs Hayward CA — 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%
Hayward, CA
California · Population: 159,201
- Median HH Income$113,775
- Median Home Price$847,838
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Hayward
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Bridgeport +
Hayward
38.2
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Bridgeport +
Hayward
19.6%
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Hayward
9.0%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Hayward
40.9%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Hayward
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 159,201 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 38.2 | Bridgeport + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 42.0% | Hayward + |
| White | 34.8% | 19.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Black | 22.4% | 9.0% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 29.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 40.9% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Hayward
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Hayward
5.9%
Hayward +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $113,775 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $44,613 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $77,230 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 5.9% | Hayward + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 9.5% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 32.6% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Bridgeport +
Hayward
$847,838
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $847,838 | Bridgeport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 57.0% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Hayward
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Hayward
2388
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 503 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2388 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Hayward
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 24.9% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.7% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.8% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 11.4% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.8% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 10.8% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Hayward
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Hayward
18.0 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 18.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Hayward
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Bridgeport +
Hayward
36.7 min
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 36.7 min | Bridgeport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while bridgeport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $361,669. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Hayward has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Bridgeport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
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