Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Bridgeport, CT
VS
Paterson, NJ
🏆 Bridgeport leads 15 of 22 categories
Bridgeport
Connecticut
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,440 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
103⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
148,470
Paterson
New Jersey
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$52,092
Violent Crime Index
258⚠ High
Population
157,864 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Bridgeport, CT
Pros
60% less violent crime than Paterson
Homes cost $87k less ($227,200 vs $314,100)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (9.5%)
More college-educated — 24.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Paterson
Cons
Longer commutes — 28.9 min average each way
Paterson, NJ
Pros
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $314,100
Violent crime (978.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Higher unemployment (10.5% vs 9.5%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Bridgeport
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 106.5 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Bridgeport
Median Income
$2,348
$54,440 vs $52,092/yr
Bridgeport
Violent Crime
60% lower
392.9 vs 978.6 per 100k
Bridgeport
Median Home Value
$87k less
$227,200 vs $314,100
Bridgeport
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
9.5% vs 10.5% unemployment
Paterson
Summer Heat
3.1°F warmer
July avg high 86.5°F vs 83.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Paterson, 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 | $314,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,369⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,392⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $54,440 ✓ Higher | $52,092 |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 10.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.9 min⚠ High | 23.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.0% ✓ Higher | 3.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 90 ✓ Safer | 199⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer | 258⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 112⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | C+ (87) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.6:1 | 14.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.7% ✓ Higher | 12.6% |
| High School or Higher | 80.0% ✓ Higher | 76.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bridgeport School District | Paterson Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.4°F | 39.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.4°F | 86.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 44.1" ✓ Drier | 49.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.6" | 28.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 148,470 | 157,864 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.5 ✓ Older | 33.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% ✓ Higher | 26.3% |
| Under 18 | 20.7% | 27.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 11.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bridgeport's cost of living index is 106.5 vs Paterson's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Bridgeport is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Bridgeport leads 15 of 22 categories. Bridgeport wins 15 and Paterson wins 7. 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 Paterson or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($227,200 vs $314,100 median home), income ($54,440 vs $52,092), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Bridgeport, CT and Paterson, NJ are about 54 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.