Bridgeport CT vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Bridgeport +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 126,103 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 38.2 | Bridgeport + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 5.3% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 22.4% | 9.7% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 1.8% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 16.9% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Bridgeport +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $55,902 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $61,860 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 449 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2174 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Bridgeport +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Bridgeport +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Topeka
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Bridgeport +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 39.7% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.1% | Bridgeport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.5% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.9% | Bridgeport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bridgeport leads in median household income at $56,584, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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%.
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