Bridgeport CT vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Bridgeport +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Waco
9.8%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Bridgeport +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 141,925 | Bridgeport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 9.8% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 22.4% | 20.4% | Bridgeport + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 2.0% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 29.9% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Bridgeport +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Bridgeport +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Bridgeport +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Bridgeport +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $51,468 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $28,819 | Bridgeport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $63,758 | Bridgeport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 24.0% | Bridgeport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 442 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2339 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Bridgeport +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Waco
13.0%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Bridgeport +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Bridgeport +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 36.8% | Bridgeport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.0% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 20.4% | Bridgeport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.2% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.1% | Bridgeport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
7.7 µg/m³
Bridgeport +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Bridgeport +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bridgeport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bridgeport leads in median household income at $56,584, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Bridgeport is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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%.
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