Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Bridgeport, CT
VS
Newport News, VA
🏆 Newport News 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
Newport News
Virginia
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,355 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High
Population
185,118 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Bridgeport, CT
Pros
47% less violent crime than Newport News
Cons
Median income trails Newport News by $8,915/yr
Higher rents — median is $1,369/mo
Higher unemployment (9.5% vs 5.6%)
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Newport News
Newport News, VA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.9 pts lower (5.6%)
Households earn $8,915 more per year on average
Rent averages $160/mo less ($1,209 vs $1,369)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Bridgeport
Milder winters — January highs near 49°F vs 38°F
Cons
Violent crime (736.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Key Differences at a Glance
Bridgeport
Violent Crime
47% lower
392.9 vs 736.0 per 100k
Newport News
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 106.5 (100 = US avg)
Newport News
Median Income
$8,915
$63,355 vs $54,440/yr
Newport News
Unemployment
3.9 pp lower
5.6% vs 9.5% unemployment
Newport News
Summer Heat
4.8°F warmer
July avg high 88.2°F vs 83.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Newport News, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 106.5⚠ High | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $227,200 ✓ Lower | $233,400 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,369⚠ High | $1,209 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $54,440 | $63,355 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.5%⚠ High | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.9 min⚠ High | 23.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.0% | 7.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 90 ✓ Safer | 162⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer | 194⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 115⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | B+ (105) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.6:1 | 12.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.7% | 28.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 80.0% | 91.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bridgeport School District | Newport News City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.4°F | 49.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.4°F | 88.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 44.1" ✓ Drier | 51.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.6" | 2.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 148,470 | 185,118 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.5 ✓ Older | 34.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 47.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.7% | 23.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 13.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bridgeport's cost of living index is 106.5 vs Newport News's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Newport News is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Newport News leads 16 of 23 categories. Bridgeport wins 7 and Newport News 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 Newport News or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($227,200 vs $233,400 median home), income ($54,440 vs $63,355), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Bridgeport, CT and Newport News, VA are about 335 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.