Bridgeport CT vs Peoria IL — 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%
Peoria, IL
Illinois · Population: 11,626
- Median HH Income$83,102
- Median Home Price$132,671
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+27.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Peoria
12.6%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Peoria
37.0%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 11,626 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 12.6% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 22.4% | 4.7% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 1.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 37.0% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Peoria
$33,805
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Peoria
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Peoria
27.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $33,805 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $68,110 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 27.6% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Peoria
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Peoria
1842
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 344 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1842 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Bridgeport +
Peoria
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Bridgeport +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Peoria
17.8%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Peoria
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Bridgeport +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 36.2% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.5% | Bridgeport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.8% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.2% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.1% | Bridgeport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Peoria
38.0 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Bridgeport +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bridgeport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Bridgeport +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 34.4 min | Bridgeport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $83,102, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $132,671. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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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