Bridgeport CT vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Madison
11.6%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 11.6% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 22.4% | 7.1% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 9.3% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $61,837 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Bridgeport +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Madison
46.6%
Madison +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $429,253 | Bridgeport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 46.6% | Madison + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Madison
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 309 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 20.8% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Bridgeport +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bridgeport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, 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 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Bridgeport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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