Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Abilene, TX
VS
Bridgeport, CT
🏆 Abilene leads 16 of 22 categories
Abilene
Texas
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,254 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
112⚠ High
Population
126,356
Bridgeport
Connecticut
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$54,440
Violent Crime Index
103⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
148,470 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Abilene, TX
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 6.7 pts lower (2.8%)
Homes cost $65k less ($161,800 vs $227,200)
Rent averages $309/mo less ($1,060 vs $1,369)
Commutes run 14 min shorter each way
17% cheaper overall cost of living than Bridgeport
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 38°F
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Bridgeport, CT
Pros
7% less violent crime than Abilene
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 96°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,369/mo
Cost of living runs 17% higher than Abilene
Higher unemployment (9.5% vs 2.8%)
Median income trails Abilene by $4,814/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Abilene
Cost of Living
17% cheaper
COL index 89.8 vs 106.5 (100 = US avg)
Abilene
Median Income
$4,814
$59,254 vs $54,440/yr
Abilene
Median Home Value
$65k less
$161,800 vs $227,200
Abilene
Unemployment
6.7 pp lower
2.8% vs 9.5% unemployment
Abilene
Summer Heat
13.0°F warmer
July avg high 96.4°F vs 83.4°F
Bridgeport
Violent Crime
7% lower
392.9 vs 424.5 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Bridgeport, CT |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.8 ✓ Cheaper | 106.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $161,800 ✓ Lower | $227,200 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,060 ✓ Lower | $1,369⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,254 ✓ Higher | $54,440 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% ✓ Lower | 9.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 15.2 min ✓ Shorter | 28.9 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.1% ✓ Higher | 6.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 101⚠ High | 90 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 | 70 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) ✓ Better | C+ (87) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.8:1 | 14.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.4% ✓ Higher | 24.7% |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% ✓ Higher | 80.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ABILENE ISD | Bridgeport School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.8°F ✓ Warmer | 38.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.4°F ✓ Warmer | 83.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.4" ✓ Drier | 44.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.7" ✓ Less | 33.6" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 126,356 | 148,470 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.0% ✓ Higher | 45.2% |
| Under 18 | 23.1% ✓ More | 20.7% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 13.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Abilene's cost of living index is 89.8 vs Bridgeport's 106.5 (US average = 100).
Abilene is 17% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Abilene leads 16 of 22 categories. Abilene wins 16 and Bridgeport wins 6. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Abilene to Bridgeport or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($161,800 vs $227,200 median home), income ($59,254 vs $54,440), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Abilene, TX and Bridgeport, CT are about 1,579 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.