Bridgeport CT vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Bridgeport +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.3 | Bridgeport + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 12.2% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 22.4% | 10.5% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 13.1% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $76,120 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Bridgeport +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $496,966 | Bridgeport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 383 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 3409 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Bridgeport +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Bridgeport +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 37.3% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.7% | Bridgeport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.8% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 31.1 min | Tacoma + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 383 in Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bridgeport scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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