Bridgeport CT vs Rockford 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Bridgeport +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 147,649 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.5 | Bridgeport + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 12.3% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 22.4% | 21.8% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 3.7% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 20.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Bridgeport +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Bridgeport +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Rockford
8.6%
Rockford +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Rockford
23.2%
Rockford +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $53,328 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $30,409 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $68,110 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 8.6% | Rockford + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 21.9% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 23.2% | Rockford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rockford, 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 +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Bridgeport +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Bridgeport +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Bridgeport +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 44.7% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.4% | Bridgeport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.0% | Bridgeport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.5% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.1% | Bridgeport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Bridgeport +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rockford, 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
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bridgeport leads in median household income at $56,584, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Rockford has a lower unemployment rate at 8.6%, 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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