Bridgeport CT vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Bridgeport +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.4 | Bridgeport + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 9.1% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 22.4% | 18.9% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 8.9% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $69,581 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Bridgeport +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $427,121 | Bridgeport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Virginia Beach
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 240 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1726 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Bridgeport +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 36.5% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Bridgeport +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, 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 240 in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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