Bridgeport CT vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Lancaster
35.5%
Lancaster +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 13.9% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 35.5% | Lancaster + |
| Black | 22.4% | 21.4% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 4.0% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Bridgeport +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Lancaster
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Bridgeport +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $29,766 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $77,230 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 7.1% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 20.1% | Bridgeport + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Bridgeport +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $466,147 | Bridgeport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 503 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2388 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Bridgeport +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.3% | Bridgeport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 12.9% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.8% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.0% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Lancaster
7.4 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Bridgeport +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 33.0 min | Bridgeport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 503 in Lancaster. Lancaster has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Bridgeport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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