Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Bridgeport, CT
VS
Des Moines, IA
🏆 Des Moines leads 16 of 23 categories
Bridgeport
Connecticut
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$54,440
Violent Crime Index
103⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
148,470
Des Moines
Iowa
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,378 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
185⚠ High
Population
213,164 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Bridgeport, CT
Pros
44% less violent crime than Des Moines
Milder winters — January highs near 38°F vs 31°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,369/mo
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Des Moines
Median income trails Des Moines by $7,938/yr
Higher unemployment (9.5% vs 5.9%)
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Rent averages $374/mo less ($995 vs $1,369)
Homes cost $57k less ($170,700 vs $227,200)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.6 pts lower (5.9%)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Bridgeport
Households earn $7,938 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (703.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3126.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Bridgeport
Violent Crime
44% lower
392.9 vs 703.0 per 100k
Des Moines
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 106.5 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Median Income
$7,938
$62,378 vs $54,440/yr
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$57k less
$170,700 vs $227,200
Des Moines
Unemployment
3.6 pp lower
5.9% vs 9.5% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 106.5⚠ High | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $227,200 | $170,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,369⚠ High | $995 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $54,440 | $62,378 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.5%⚠ High | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.9 min⚠ High | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.0% | 10.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 90 ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer | 185⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 149⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | B- (93) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.6:1 | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.7% | 28.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 80.0% | 87.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bridgeport School District | Des Moines Independent Comm School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.4°F ✓ Warmer | 30.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 83.4°F | 85.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 44.1" | 36.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.6" ✓ Less | 36.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 148,470 | 213,164 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.5 ✓ Older | 34.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 60.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.7% | 23.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 12.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bridgeport's cost of living index is 106.5 vs Des Moines's 92.7 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Des Moines leads 16 of 23 categories. Bridgeport wins 7 and Des Moines wins 16. 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 Bridgeport to Des Moines or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($227,200 vs $170,700 median home), income ($54,440 vs $62,378), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Bridgeport, CT and Des Moines, IA are about 1,056 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.