Bridgeport CT vs Kirkland 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%
Kirkland, WA
Washington · Population: 57,088
- Median HH Income$87,277
- Median Home Price$1,274,801
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Bridgeport +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Kirkland
12.4%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Kirkland
6.1%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Kirkland
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 57,088 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.7 | Bridgeport + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 12.4% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 66.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 22.4% | 6.1% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 12.7% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Kirkland
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Kirkland
32.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $87,277 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $41,024 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $76,120 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 5.1% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 32.2% | Kirkland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Bridgeport +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $1,274,801 | Bridgeport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 57.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Kirkland
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Kirkland, 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%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Kirkland
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.1% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Kirkland
28.2 min
Kirkland +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 28.2 min | Kirkland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, 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 Kirkland. Kirkland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Kirkland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
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