Bridgeport CT vs Rio Rancho NM — 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%
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Bridgeport +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 47,823 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 36.8 | Bridgeport + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 11.6% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 22.4% | 1.8% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 1.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Bridgeport +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Bridgeport +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Bridgeport +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Bridgeport +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $50,294 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $28,418 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $53,141 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 24.2% | Bridgeport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 19.6% | Bridgeport + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Bridgeport +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $362,476 | Bridgeport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 834 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 3177 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.0% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
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 834 in Rio Rancho. Rio Rancho has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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