City Comparison
Bridgeport vs Stamford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Stamford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bridgeport
Stamford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bridgeport is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Stamford.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bridgeport's average rent is
18% lower than Stamford's.
| Metric | Bridgeport | Stamford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,000 | $2,450 | -18% |
| Groceries | $400 | $520 | -23% |
| Utilities | $180 | $210 | -14% |
| Transport | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $280 | -11% |
| Monthly Total | $2,950 | $3,610 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 142 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Stamford offers 16% lower 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 $75,000 in Stamford.
| Metric | Bridgeport | Stamford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $88,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,476 idx | 61,972 idx |
| Household Income | $58,685 | $105,820 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Bridgeport sees 0.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bridgeport | Stamford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | 52.90°F |
| Summer High | 81.40°F | 83.00°F |
| Winter Low | 24.20°F | 22.90°F |
| Rainfall | 43.10 in | 46.80 in |
| Snowfall | 20.60 in | 19.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | 249 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bridgeport has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Stamford.
For walkability, Bridgeport leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bridgeport | Stamford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 31 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 61.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bridgeport is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Stamford.
From a growth perspective, Stamford is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Stamford has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bridgeport | Stamford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,153 | 135,470 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.61% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 36.7 | 37.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.90% |
| 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
Stamford
Advantages
Median household income exceeds $105,000 per year per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Express Metro-North rail service gets commuters to New York City in under 50 minutes.
Vibrant downtown dining and entertainment district centered around Mill River Park.
Exceptional coastal access with multiple public parks and beaches along Long Island Sound.
Consistently ranked among the safest major cities in the state of Connecticut.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living is roughly 40% higher than the national U.S. average.
Severe rush-hour traffic congestion on Interstate 95 and local connector roads.
High median rent prices make affordable housing a significant challenge for service workers.
Steep property tax rates compared to other regions across the United States.
Winter snow accumulation averages nearly 20 inches, requiring frequent seasonal maintenance.
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
Stamford
#482Connecticut, USA
53.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,450
Avg Salary
$88,000
Cost Index
142
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
61.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
52.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
83
Business
79
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