Bridgeport CT vs Lake Charles 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%
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 81,679 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 4.7% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 47.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 22.4% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 2.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 4.7% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Bridgeport +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $56,864 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $55,297 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 23.2% | Bridgeport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 29.4% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lake Charles, 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 +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Bridgeport +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Bridgeport +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Bridgeport +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 45.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.2% | Bridgeport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.7% | Bridgeport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.0% | Bridgeport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lake Charles, 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
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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%.
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