Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Bridgeport, CT
VS
Hayward, CA
🏆 Hayward leads 12 of 23 categories
Bridgeport
Connecticut
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,440
Violent Crime Index
103⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
148,470
Hayward
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$105,371 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
126⚠ High
Population
160,602 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Bridgeport, CT
Pros
Homes cost $549k less ($227,200 vs $775,700)
Rent averages $891/mo less ($1,369 vs $2,260)
18% less violent crime than Hayward
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Hayward
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Smaller class sizes — 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Hayward by $50,931/yr
Higher unemployment (9.5% vs 5.7%)
Hayward, CA
Pros
Households earn $50,931 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.8 pts lower (5.7%)
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 38°F
More college-educated — 31.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 75°F vs 83°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $775,700
Higher rents — median is $2,260/mo
Violent crime (477.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Key Differences at a Glance
Bridgeport
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 106.5 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Bridgeport
Violent Crime
18% lower
392.9 vs 477.1 per 100k
Bridgeport
Median Home Value
$549k less
$227,200 vs $775,700
Bridgeport
Summer Heat
8.7°F warmer
July avg high 83.4°F vs 74.7°F
Hayward
Median Income
$50,931
$105,371 vs $54,440/yr
Hayward
Unemployment
3.8 pp lower
5.7% vs 9.5% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Hayward, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 106.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $227,200 ✓ Lower | $775,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,369⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,260⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $54,440 | $105,371 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.5%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.9 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 34.2 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.0% | 11.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 90 ✓ Safer | 145⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer | 126⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 174⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | C+ (88) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.7% | 31.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 80.0% | 82.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bridgeport School District | Hayward Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.4°F | 59.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.4°F ✓ Warmer | 74.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 44.1" | 16.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.6" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 148,470 | 160,602 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 56.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.7% ✓ More | 20.0% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 13.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bridgeport's cost of living index is 106.5 vs Hayward's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Bridgeport is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Hayward leads 12 of 23 categories. Bridgeport wins 11 and Hayward wins 12. 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 Hayward or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($227,200 vs $775,700 median home), income ($54,440 vs $105,371), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Bridgeport, CT and Hayward, CA are about 2,588 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.