Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Bridgeport, CT
VS
Newark, NJ
🏆 Bridgeport leads 17 of 23 categories
Bridgeport
Connecticut
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,440 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
103⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
148,470
Newark
New Jersey
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$46,460
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High
Population
307,355 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Bridgeport, CT
Pros
32% less violent crime than Newark
Homes cost $85k less ($227,200 vs $312,300)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (9.5%)
Households earn $7,980 more per year on average
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 24.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,369/mo
Newark, NJ
Pros
Rent averages $96/mo less ($1,273 vs $1,369)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $312,300
Violent crime (581.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Bridgeport by $7,980/yr
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Bridgeport
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 106.5 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Bridgeport
Median Income
$7,980
$54,440 vs $46,460/yr
Bridgeport
Violent Crime
32% lower
392.9 vs 581.2 per 100k
Bridgeport
Median Home Value
$85k less
$227,200 vs $312,300
Bridgeport
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
9.5% vs 10.7% unemployment
Newark
Summer Heat
3.4°F warmer
July avg high 86.8°F vs 83.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Newark, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 106.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $227,200 ✓ Lower | $312,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,369⚠ High | $1,273 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $54,440 ✓ Higher | $46,460 |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 10.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.9 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 33.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.0% ✓ Higher | 4.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 90 ✓ Safer | 129⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer | 153⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 93 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) ✓ Better | C+ (85) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.7% ✓ Higher | 17.0% |
| High School or Higher | 80.0% ✓ Higher | 77.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bridgeport School District | Newark Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.4°F | 39.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.4°F | 86.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 44.1" ✓ Drier | 50.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.6" | 28.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 148,470 | 307,355 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.5 ✓ Older | 34.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% ✓ Higher | 23.9% |
| Under 18 | 20.7% | 24.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 10.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bridgeport's cost of living index is 106.5 vs Newark's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Bridgeport is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Bridgeport leads 17 of 23 categories. Bridgeport wins 17 and Newark 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 Bridgeport to Newark or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($227,200 vs $312,300 median home), income ($54,440 vs $46,460), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Bridgeport, CT and Newark, NJ are about 60 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.