Bridgeport CT vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Bridgeport +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 121,537 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.1 | Bridgeport + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 6.6% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 22.4% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 2.1% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 7.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $61,454 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $55,297 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 19.1% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 643 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2824 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Bridgeport +
Lafayette
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Bridgeport +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Bridgeport +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Bridgeport +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 34.5% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.0% | Bridgeport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.4% | Bridgeport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.8% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.1% | Bridgeport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Bridgeport, CT vs New York, NYBridgeport, CT vs Los Angeles, CABridgeport, CT vs Chicago, ILBridgeport, CT vs Houston, TXBridgeport, CT vs Phoenix, AZBridgeport, CT vs Philadelphia, PA