Bridgeport CT vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 7.7% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 22.4% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 3.7% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 9.9% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Norfolk
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $69,581 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 45.7% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Norfolk
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Norfolk
1726
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 240 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1726 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Bridgeport +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Bridgeport +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 39.9% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.4% | Bridgeport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.1% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Norfolk. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, 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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