Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Bridgeport, CT
VS
Wilmington, NC
🏆 Wilmington leads 15 of 23 categories
Bridgeport
Connecticut
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$54,440
Violent Crime Index
103⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
148,470 ✓ Larger
Wilmington
North Carolina
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,908 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
127⚠ High
Population
116,933
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Bridgeport, CT
Pros
Homes cost $91k less ($227,200 vs $318,600)
19% less violent crime than Wilmington
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 90°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,369/mo
Higher unemployment (9.5% vs 4.9%)
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Wilmington
Longer commutes — 28.9 min average each way
Wilmington, NC
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.6 pts lower (4.9%)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 43.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Rent averages $156/mo less ($1,213 vs $1,369)
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 38°F
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Bridgeport
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $318,600
Violent crime (482.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3514.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Bridgeport
Violent Crime
19% lower
392.9 vs 482.8 per 100k
Bridgeport
Median Home Value
$91k less
$227,200 vs $318,600
Wilmington
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 97.1 vs 106.5 (100 = US avg)
Wilmington
Median Income
$4,468
$58,908 vs $54,440/yr
Wilmington
Unemployment
4.6 pp lower
4.9% vs 9.5% unemployment
Wilmington
Summer Heat
6.6°F warmer
July avg high 90.0°F vs 83.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Bridgeport, CT | Wilmington, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 106.5⚠ High | 97.1 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $227,200 ✓ Lower | $318,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,369⚠ High | $1,213 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $54,440 | $58,908 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.5%⚠ High | 4.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.9 min⚠ High | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.0% | 14.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 90 ✓ Safer | 143⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer | 127⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 167⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | B+ (109) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.7% | 43.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 80.0% | 93.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bridgeport School District | New Hanover County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.4°F | 57.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.4°F | 90.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 44.1" ✓ Drier | 60.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.6" | 0.9" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 148,470 ✓ Larger | 116,933 |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 45.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.7% ✓ More | 16.8% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 17.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bridgeport's cost of living index is 106.5 vs Wilmington's 97.1 (US average = 100).
Wilmington is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Wilmington leads 15 of 23 categories. Bridgeport wins 8 and Wilmington wins 15. 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 Wilmington or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($227,200 vs $318,600 median home), income ($54,440 vs $58,908), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Bridgeport, CT and Wilmington, NC are about 546 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.