Bridgeport CT vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Salem
12.2%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 12.2% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 22.4% | 1.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 3.5% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 23.4% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $63,691 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Bridgeport +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $438,754 | Bridgeport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 355 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 3001 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Bridgeport +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Bridgeport +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 41.4% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.8% | Bridgeport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.2% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Bridgeport +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bridgeport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, 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 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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