Bridgeport CT vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bridgeport
148,012
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bridgeport
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Bridgeport
36.4
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Bridgeport
32.9%
Bridgeport +
Washington
13.3%
White
Bridgeport
34.8%
Washington
39.1%
Washington +
Black
Bridgeport
22.4%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Bridgeport
5.4%
Bridgeport +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Bridgeport
44.6%
Bridgeport +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Bridgeport
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,012 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 13.3% | Bridgeport + |
| White | 34.8% | 39.1% | Washington + |
| Black | 22.4% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 4.1% | Bridgeport + |
| Hispanic | 44.6% | 11.6% | Bridgeport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bridgeport
$56,584
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Bridgeport
$30,658
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bridgeport
$85,393
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Bridgeport
8.9%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Bridgeport
22.5%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bridgeport
23.1%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,584 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,658 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.9% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.1% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bridgeport
$361,669
Bridgeport +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Bridgeport
43.3%
Bridgeport +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $361,669 | $580,173 | Bridgeport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 41.1% | Bridgeport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
156
Bridgeport +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bridgeport
1524
Bridgeport +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 398 | Bridgeport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1999 | Bridgeport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
33.5%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
13.0%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bridgeport
18.3%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
21.4%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.0%
Bridgeport +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bridgeport
14.3%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 21.4% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 24.0% | Bridgeport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bridgeport
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bridgeport
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Bridgeport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bridgeport
31.6 min
Bridgeport +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 32.8 min | Bridgeport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Bridgeport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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