Bridgeport CT vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 146,211 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 12.1% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 22.4% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 10.3% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Bridgeport +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Bridgeport +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Syracuse
$77,425
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Bridgeport +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $45,845 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $27,570 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $77,425 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 7.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 29.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Bridgeport +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 41.3% | Bridgeport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 434 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1736 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Bridgeport +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Bridgeport +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Bridgeport +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 41.5% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 20.8% | Bridgeport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.3% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.1% | Bridgeport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bridgeport leads in median household income at $56,584, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Bridgeport, CT vs New York, NYBridgeport, CT vs Los Angeles, CABridgeport, CT vs Chicago, ILBridgeport, CT vs Houston, TXBridgeport, CT vs Phoenix, AZBridgeport, CT vs Philadelphia, PA