Bridgeport CT vs Kent WA — 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Kent
14.1%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Kent
31.8%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 84,389 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.8 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 14.1% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 22.4% | 2.3% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 1.9% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 31.8% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Kent
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $72,867 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $35,662 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $76,120 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 27.0% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Bridgeport +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $657,911 | Bridgeport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Kent
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 383 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 3409 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Kent
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.2% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.7% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Kent
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Kent
39.1 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, 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 383 in Kent. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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