Bridgeport CT vs New Haven CT — 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%
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
New Haven
132,893
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
New Haven
17.7%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
New Haven
36.8%
New Haven +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
New Haven
5.2%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
New Haven
31.2%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 132,893 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 17.7% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 36.8% | New Haven + |
| Black | 22.4% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 5.2% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 31.2% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Bridgeport +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
New Haven
$34,482
New Haven +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
New Haven
$85,393
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
New Haven
7.7%
New Haven +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Bridgeport +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $53,771 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $34,482 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $85,393 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 7.7% | New Haven + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 25.0% | Bridgeport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 37.7% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Bridgeport +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $330,564 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 28.4% | Bridgeport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
New Haven
156
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
New Haven
1524
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 156 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1524 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Bridgeport +
New Haven
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Bridgeport +
New Haven
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
New Haven
14.7%
New Haven +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
New Haven
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 37.9% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.7% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.9% | Bridgeport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 14.7% | New Haven + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.2% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.2% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
New Haven
52.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
New Haven
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 23.0 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bridgeport leads in median household income at $56,584, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 156 in Bridgeport. New Haven has a lower unemployment rate at 7.7%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bridgeport scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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