Bridgeport CT vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Lowell
29.5%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 114,799 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 29.5% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 22.4% | 10.8% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 19.3% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Bridgeport +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Lowell
44.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $484,226 | Bridgeport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 44.0% | Lowell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Lowell
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 326 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Bridgeport +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Lowell
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.5% | Bridgeport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.1% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Lowell
48.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 30.1 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, 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 326 in Lowell. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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