Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Bridgeport, CT
VS
New Haven, CT
🏆 Bridgeport leads 12 of 22 categories
Bridgeport
Connecticut
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$54,440 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
103⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
148,470 ✓ Larger
New Haven
Connecticut
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,305
Violent Crime Index
141⚠ High
Population
135,736
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Bridgeport, CT
Pros
27% less violent crime than New Haven
Cons
Higher unemployment (9.5% vs 7.8%)
Longer commutes — 28.9 min average each way
Cost of living runs 8% higher than New Haven
New Haven, CT
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (7.8%)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 38.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Bridgeport
Smaller class sizes — 12.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (534.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3587.1/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Bridgeport
Violent Crime
27% lower
392.9 vs 534.8 per 100k
New Haven
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 98.6 vs 106.5 (100 = US avg)
New Haven
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
7.8% vs 9.5% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | New Haven, CT |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 106.5⚠ High | 98.6 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $227,200 ✓ Lower | $236,500 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,369⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,402⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $54,440 ✓ Higher | $54,305 |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.5%⚠ High | 7.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.9 min⚠ High | 21.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.0% | 11.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 90 ✓ Safer | 153⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer | 141⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.6:1 | 12.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.7% | 38.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 80.0% | 85.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bridgeport School District | New Haven School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.4°F ✓ Warmer | 38.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 83.4°F ✓ Warmer | 82.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 44.1" | 41.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.6" | 33.6" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 148,470 ✓ Larger | 135,736 |
| Median Age | 37.5 ✓ Older | 31.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% ✓ Higher | 28.6% |
| Under 18 | 20.7% | 22.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 10.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bridgeport's cost of living index is 106.5 vs New Haven's 98.6 (US average = 100).
New Haven is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Bridgeport leads 12 of 22 categories. Bridgeport wins 12 and New Haven wins 10. 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 New Haven or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($227,200 vs $236,500 median home), income ($54,440 vs $54,305), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Bridgeport, CT and New Haven, CT are about 16 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.