Bridgeport CT vs Lincoln NE — 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%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 9.2% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 22.4% | 4.2% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 4.5% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 8.8% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $66,354 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Lincoln
294
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 294 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1960 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Bridgeport +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 35.1% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 20.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 29.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Lincoln. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bridgeport scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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