Bridgeport CT vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Bridgeport +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Lakeland
3.7%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 82,506 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 48.4 | Bridgeport + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 12.9% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 22.4% | 8.8% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 3.7% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 14.4% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Lakeland
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $60,465 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $65,328 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 26.8% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Lakeland
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 324 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Bridgeport +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Bridgeport +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Lakeland
18.3%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakeland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Lakeland
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 38.9% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.3% | Bridgeport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.3% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 16.4% | Lakeland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.9% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 25.6 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Lakeland. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bridgeport scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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