City Comparison
Bridgeport vs Waterbury
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Waterbury scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bridgeport
Waterbury
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waterbury is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
19% lower than in Bridgeport.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bridgeport's average rent is
38% higher than Waterbury's.
| Metric | Bridgeport | Waterbury | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,000 | $1,450 | +38% |
| Groceries | $400 | $420 | -5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $120 | $115 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $230 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,950 | $2,390 | +23% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bridgeport offers 26% 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 $52,000 in Waterbury.
| Metric | Bridgeport | Waterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $58,500 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,476 idx | 62,234 idx |
| Household Income | $58,685 | $53,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.4°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Waterbury sees 3.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bridgeport | Waterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | 50.80°F |
| Summer High | 81.40°F | 80.90°F |
| Winter Low | 24.20°F | 20.10°F |
| Rainfall | 43.10 in | 44.50 in |
| Snowfall | 20.60 in | 24.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | 247 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | Waterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bridgeport is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Waterbury.
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 | Waterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,153 | 114,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.61% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 36.7 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.80% |
| 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
Waterbury
Advantages
Median home purchase prices are significantly lower than the Connecticut state average per Zillow data.
Anchored by two major medical centers providing robust local healthcare access per American Hospital Directory.
Convenient highway access via Interstate 84 and Route 8 facilitating regional commutes.
Rich cultural amenities including the historic Palace Theater and diverse local dining options.
Abundant local green spaces such as Fulton Park offering outdoor recreation opportunities.
Drawbacks
Certain neighborhoods experience higher property and violent crime rates than national averages per FBI crime data.
Public transit walkability is limited outside of the immediate downtown core per Walk Score metrics.
Local school district ratings trail behind suburban Connecticut districts per state education reports.
State and local tax burdens remain a consistent challenge for property owners in Connecticut.
Economic mobility and median household incomes lag behind wealthier coastal municipalities.
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
Waterbury
#507Connecticut, USA
52.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$58,500
Cost Index
94
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
247/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
69
Business
64
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