Bridgeport CT vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Providence
32.8%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Providence
44.3%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 32.8% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 40.7% | Providence + |
| Black | 22.4% | 13.3% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 44.3% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Providence
7.4%
Providence +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $64,538 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 7.4% | Providence + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 20.1% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Bridgeport +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Bridgeport +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $429,449 | Bridgeport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 41.2% | Bridgeport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Providence
174
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 174 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Bridgeport +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Bridgeport +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 34.4% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.6% | Bridgeport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 14.6% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.7% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 27.4 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, 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 174 in Providence. Providence has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bridgeport scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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