City Comparison
Bridgeport vs New Haven
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
New Haven scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bridgeport
New Haven
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
New Haven is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Bridgeport.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bridgeport's average rent is
21% higher than New Haven's.
| Metric | Bridgeport | New Haven | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,000 | $1,650 | +21% |
| Groceries | $400 | $420 | -5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $210 | -14% |
| Transport | $120 | $130 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $230 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,950 | $2,640 | +12% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bridgeport offers 3% 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 $60,000 in New Haven.
| Metric | Bridgeport | New Haven |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,476 idx | 64,286 idx |
| Household Income | $58,685 | $53,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — New Haven sees 0.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bridgeport | New Haven |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | 52.50°F |
| Summer High | 81.40°F | 81.00°F |
| Winter Low | 24.20°F | 23.40°F |
| Rainfall | 43.10 in | 44.00 in |
| Snowfall | 20.60 in | 21.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | 253 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
New Haven has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Bridgeport.
For walkability, New Haven leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bridgeport | New Haven |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 68.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bridgeport is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of New Haven.
From a growth perspective, New Haven is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Bridgeport | New Haven |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,153 | 134,023 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.61% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 36.7 | 33.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.50% |
| 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
New Haven
Advantages
Home to Yale University, providing world-class cultural events, libraries, and architectural landmarks.
Exceptional transit connectivity via Union Station with direct rail access to New York City and Boston.
Renowned culinary destination famous for distinctive New Haven-style apizza and diverse global dining.
Major healthcare and biotechnology hub anchored by Yale New Haven Health and growing research parks.
Abundant urban parks and coastal access, including East Rock Park and Lighthouse Point Park.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and housing expenses are noticeably higher than the U.S. national average.
Property crime and localized safety concerns persist in certain neighborhoods outside the downtown core.
Northeast regional winters bring cold temperatures and seasonal snowfall that require winter preparedness.
State and local tax burdens in Connecticut can be relatively high for middle- and upper-income residents.
Parking downtown can be limited and expensive, particularly during peak academic and event seasons.
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
New Haven
#562Connecticut, USA
47.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
52.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
76
Business
72
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