Bridgeport CT vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Bridgeport +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 34.8% | 21.8% | Bridgeport + |
| Black | 22.4% | 1.4% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Bridgeport +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Salinas
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Bridgeport +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $28,813 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $77,230 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 15.5% | Bridgeport + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Bridgeport +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $751,711 | Bridgeport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 503 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2388 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Bridgeport +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 22.4% | Bridgeport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.8% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 15.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 28.8 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Bridgeport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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