Bridgeport CT vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 8.3% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 22.4% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 3.2% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 20.0% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Bridgeport +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Bridgeport +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Rochester
$77,425
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Rochester
7.9%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Bridgeport +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $46,628 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $30,451 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $77,425 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 7.9% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 26.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Bridgeport +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 37.2% | Bridgeport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 434 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1736 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Bridgeport +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Bridgeport +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Bridgeport +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Bridgeport +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 38.0% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.3% | Bridgeport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.8% | Bridgeport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.3% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.6% | Bridgeport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bridgeport leads in median household income at $56,584, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, 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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