Bridgeport CT vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Bridgeport +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Santa Ana
23.2%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 91,535 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 42.9 | Bridgeport + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 23.2% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 22.4% | 4.9% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 16.4% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Santa Ana
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $77,230 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 6.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Bridgeport +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Bridgeport +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $865,610 | Bridgeport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 28.8% | Bridgeport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Bridgeport +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Santa Ana
20.7%
Santa Ana +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.0% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.7% | Bridgeport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 20.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.7% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Santa Ana, 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
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Bridgeport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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