City Comparison
Bridgeport vs East Hartford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
East Hartford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bridgeport
East Hartford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
East Hartford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Bridgeport.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bridgeport's average rent is
26% higher than East Hartford's.
| Metric | Bridgeport | East Hartford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,000 | $1,583 | +26% |
| Groceries | $400 | $350 | +14% |
| Utilities | $180 | $250 | -28% |
| Transport | $120 | $300 | -60% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $200 | +25% |
| Monthly Total | $2,950 | $2,683 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bridgeport offers 107% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bridgeport delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bridgeport is estimated at
$60,000 vs $29,796 in East Hartford.
| Metric | Bridgeport | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $35,770 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $29,796 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,476 idx | 37,653 idx |
| Household Income | $58,685 | $70,778 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bridgeport runs warmer on average — a 53.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bridgeport comes out ahead with 248 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bridgeport sees 20.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bridgeport | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 24.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 43.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
East Hartford has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Bridgeport.
Bridgeport scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bridgeport leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bridgeport | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 26.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bridgeport is the larger city
— approximately 2.9x the population of East Hartford.
From a growth perspective, Bridgeport is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bridgeport has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bridgeport | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,153 | 50,693 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.61% | — |
| Median Age | 36.7 | 38.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bridgeport
Advantages
Average rent of $2,000 per month remains significantly lower than neighboring Fairfield County towns per Zillow 2026 data
Direct Metro-North rail connection provides streamlined commuting to New York City and Stamford
Vibrant entertainment venues like the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater drive a lively local arts scene
Extensive coastal park system designed by Frederick Law Olmsted offers abundant green space and waterfront access
Rich cultural diversity creates a dynamic community fabric with exceptional local dining and markets
Drawbacks
Overall property tax rates remain among the highest in the state, impacting local homeowners
Violent and property crime rates in certain pockets exceed national averages
Public school performance indices lag behind state averages, creating challenges for families
Local poverty rate remains elevated at approximately 21% per U.S. Census Bureau estimates
Traffic congestion along the I-95 corridor during peak hours causes frequent commuting delays
East Hartford
Advantages
The median household income in East Hartford grew by 5.73% from 2023 to 2024, reaching $70,778.
East Hartford's violent crime rate is 89% below the national average, contributing to a high safety score.
The cost of living in East Hartford is 11% lower than the Connecticut average, making it more affordable.
The average commute time of 22.4 minutes is shorter than the national average.
Employment in East Hartford grew at a rate of 2.21% from 2023 to 2024.
Drawbacks
East Hartford's population is projected to decline by -0.07% annually in 2026.
The town's Walk Score of 33 indicates it is car-dependent, with most errands requiring a car.
Educational attainment levels are lower than Hartford County, with 18% of residents having a four-year college degree or higher, compared to 40% in the County.
The Transit Score of 26 suggests limited public transportation options for car-free living.
East Hartford's crime rates are 17% higher than the Connecticut average, despite being lower than the national average for violent crime.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Bridgeport
#570Connecticut, USA
46.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,000
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.61%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
65
East Hartford
#18Connecticut, USA
73.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,583
Avg Salary
$35,770
Cost Index
95
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
26.0/100
Walkability
33.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
73
Business
68
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