Bridgeport CT vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Bridgeport +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 41.6 | Bridgeport + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 6.8% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 22.4% | 4.8% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 2.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 19.2% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $59,120 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Bridgeport +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $422,520 | Bridgeport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 450 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2150 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.9% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Bridgeport +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 32.8 min | Bridgeport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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