Bridgeport CT vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Bridgeport +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Newark
37.2%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 34.8% | 16.5% | Bridgeport + |
| Black | 22.4% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 1.9% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 37.2% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Bridgeport +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Bridgeport +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Newark
$77,416
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Bridgeport +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Bridgeport +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Bridgeport +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $48,416 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $25,509 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $77,416 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 10.9% | Bridgeport + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 24.7% | Bridgeport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 17.4% | Bridgeport + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Bridgeport +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Bridgeport +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $482,675 | Bridgeport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 24.1% | Bridgeport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Newark
218
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 218 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Bridgeport +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Bridgeport +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Bridgeport +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Bridgeport +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Newark
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Bridgeport +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 35.9% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 20.0% | Bridgeport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 23.4% | Bridgeport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.3% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.2% | Bridgeport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Bridgeport +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 35.9 min | Bridgeport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bridgeport leads in median household income at $56,584, 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 218 in Newark. Bridgeport has a lower unemployment rate at 8.9%, and Bridgeport 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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