Bridgeport, CT, known as 'The Park City,' offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern urban amenities. Located in Fairfield County, Bridgeport is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like New Haven (24 miles) and Stamford (27 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Bridgeport's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Bridgeport is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Beardsley Zoo, the historic Barnum Museum, and the scenic Seaside Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Housatonic Museum of Art to the bustling Bridgeport Downtown, known for its shopping and dining. Bridgeport's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from American cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Bridgeport Arts Fest and the Gathering of the Vibes highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Bridgeport's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like the University of Bridgeport contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Bridgeport is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Klein Memorial Auditorium and the Bijou Theatre are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Bridgeport provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Bridgeport’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Bridgeport Islanders (AHL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Bridgeport include healthcare, education, and manufacturing, with significant employers such as St. Vincent's Medical Center and Bridgeport Public Schools driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and trains, making commuting convenient for residents.
Amenities
An abundance of amenities, including restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and fitness facilities, are conveniently situated within walking distance of the area.
Commute
High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Schools
Lower than average education levels, poor reading and math scores, as well as the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools could all be factors in the low schools score.
Bridgeport, Connecticut is a medium-sized city with a population of 145,014 inhabitants. Bridgeport has a population density of 9,027 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. Individuals of White (38%) and Black or African American (34%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of the city. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Bridgeport are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 34% of the population also speak Spanish. Bridgeport is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 40% married, this city falls well below the national average. Something to be aware of when living in Bridgeport are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 30 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.
Living in Bridgeport can be a great experience for anyone moving to the town. Having said that, in the state of Connecticut, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, cost of living, health & safety, you can easily compare the best places to live in Bridgeport and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Bridgeport to Connecticut and the national average.
Bridgeport, CT receives 81/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #6 in Connecticut and #1,063 in the USA. Compared to the national average, Bridgeport ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! The cherry on top is that Bridgeport also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Bridgeport has higher than average scores for the following: amenities (A+), education (A+) and housing (B). On a less positive note, Bridgeport does not have favorable scores for the following: crime (D). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Bridgeport, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Bridgeport undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location. A few of the enjoyable things to experience and sights to see are: Beardsley Zoo, Bridgeport Bluefish Baseball Club, and Barnum Museum.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Bridgeport apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Assuming that Bridgeport meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Bridgeport. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Bridgeport are simply unattainable. The median home price for Bridgeport homes is $186,000, which is 30.9% lower than the Connecticut average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Bridgeport, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.9, which is 2.6% higher than the Connecticut average.
| Statistic | Bridgeport | Connecticut | National |
| Average one way commute | 30min | 26min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 68.1% | 78.3% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 13.4% | 8.1% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 10.4% | 4.9% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.1% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 3.3% | 2.9% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 2.7% | 4.6% | 4.6% |
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