Bridgeport CT vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 14.6% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 36.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 22.4% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 15.2% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Philadelphia
8.4%
Philadelphia +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $65,080 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 8.4% | Philadelphia + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 22.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 319 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1613 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Bridgeport +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bridgeport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Bridgeport +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 34.5 min | Bridgeport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Philadelphia. Philadelphia has a lower unemployment rate at 8.4%, and Bridgeport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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