countyscore

Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, Connecticut — County Report Card

CT

#8 in Connecticut

Explore on ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
28.6
County Score
Income & Jobs 90.2Lawn Care 69.4Health 64.3

County Report Card

About Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, Connecticut

Greater Bridgeport near bottom nationally

At 28.4, Greater Bridgeport's composite score places it in the 28th percentile nationally—nearly 22 points below the U.S. median of 50.0. This is among the weakest livability scores in the nation, driven by multiple pressing challenges.

Worst-performing region in Connecticut

Greater Bridgeport's 28.4 score is the lowest among all Connecticut planning regions, falling 9.9 points below the state average of 38.3. It faces unique headwinds that distinguish it even within a state struggling with affordability and taxes.

Incomes offer a foundation for growth

With a median household income of $87,135 and an income score of 90.2, Greater Bridgeport residents earn competitively. This income base represents the region's primary strength and provides a starting point for addressing other livability challenges.

Safety, health, and housing costs collide

Safety (29.4), health (64.3), and risk (8.2) scores all lag badly, while housing costs are steep—median rent of $1,482/month and home values of $397,000—for an area with lower health outcomes. The combination creates a difficult environment for families seeking safe, healthy, and affordable neighborhoods.

Not recommended without strong local ties

Greater Bridgeport is best suited only for those with deep community roots or specific job anchors who can tolerate safety concerns and high housing costs. For most families considering a move, the weak scores across health, safety, and affordability make other Connecticut regions far more attractive.

204060801002.54.529.464.390.28.259.7Tax2.5Cost4.5Safety29.4Health64.3Schools—Income90.2Risk8.2Water—Weather59.728.6/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Greater Bridgeport Planning Region DNA

Foverall

How Greater Bridgeport Planning Region compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Greater Bridgeport Planning Region is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (90.2/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (2.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
2.5-49.5
Cost
4.5-43.5
Safety
29.4-25.6
Health
64.3+14.299999999999997
Income
90.2+39.2
Risk
8.2-38.8
Weather
59.7
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Greater Bridgeport Planning Region?

Many homeowners in Greater Bridgeport Planning Region pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$428,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,546/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$428,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$61,840/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $89,667/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Greater Bridgeport Planning Region with Philadelphia County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Philadelphia County
Pennsylvania
Median income: $61,953
28.6
Angelina County
Texas
Median income: $60,960
28.6
McKinley County
New Mexico
Median income: $47,668
28.5
Muscogee County
Georgia
Median income: $58,073
28.8
Passaic County
New Jersey
Median income: $87,522
28.8
Galveston County
Texas
Median income: $86,105
28.8
South Central Connecticut Planning Region
Connecticut
Median income: $88,197
28.4
Canadian County
Oklahoma
Median income: $87,751
28.9

Nearby counties

Western Connecticut Planning Region
Connecticut
38.3
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region
Connecticut
32.9
South Central Connecticut Planning Region
Connecticut
28.4
Westchester County
New York
45.7
Putnam County
New York
55.4
Suffolk County
New York
43
Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region
Connecticut
42.4
Nassau County
New York
46.3

Deep Dives

Greater Bridgeport Planning Region across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 6 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Greater Bridgeport Planning Region

via TaxByCounty

Greater Bridgeport leads state in taxes

At 2.154%, Greater Bridgeport has Connecticut's highest effective tax rate and ranks in the nation's top 20% by burden. The median property tax of $8,550 towers above the national median of $2,690, reflecting both premium home values ($397,000) and aggressive local rates.

Steepest rates in Connecticut

Greater Bridgeport's 2.154% rate edges out all other Connecticut regions, surpassing the state average of 1.855% by 16%. Its median tax of $8,550 exceeds the state average by $2,085—the highest in the state—making it a notably expensive place to own property.

Clearly outpaces regional peers

Greater Bridgeport's 2.154% rate substantially exceeds South Central Connecticut (2.034%) and Capitol (2.143%), and nearly doubles Southeastern Connecticut's 1.751%. Owners here pay roughly $3,400 annually more than those in Southeastern Connecticut despite similar home values.

Premium homes, premium taxes

A median-valued home of $397,000 generates an annual tax bill of $8,550 in Greater Bridgeport. With a mortgage, expect $8,712; without, you'll pay $8,199—among the highest annual property taxes in the entire region.

Assessment appeals pay off here

Given Greater Bridgeport's high tax bills, even small assessment reductions yield substantial savings. Many homeowners overlook the appeal process, leaving hundreds or thousands of dollars annually on the table.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Greater Bridgeport Planning Region

via IncomeByCounty

Greater Bridgeport substantially exceeds U.S. income

The Greater Bridgeport Planning Region's median household income of $87,135 runs 16.5% above the national median of $74,755. Despite economic challenges facing some urban areas, this region maintains strong household earning power.

Below Connecticut average but still solid

Greater Bridgeport's median household income trails the state average of $93,307 by about 6.6%. This places the region in the lower-middle tier of Connecticut's planning areas, though still above most U.S. counties.

Competitive with regional peers

At $87,135, Greater Bridgeport's income sits between South Central Connecticut ($86,266) and Naugatuck Valley ($86,365). The region performs comparably to nearby planning areas facing similar economic conditions.

Housing costs demand careful budgeting

The region's 20.4% rent-to-income ratio approaches the affordability threshold, signaling tighter housing costs relative to income. Median home values of $397,000 are the highest in the state, requiring significant income commitment for homeowners.

Maximize earnings with smart planning

With higher housing costs eating into household budgets, strategic financial planning becomes essential. Explore employer retirement benefits, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and side income opportunities to build wealth despite housing pressures.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Greater Bridgeport Planning Region

via CrimeByCounty

Greater Bridgeport outperforms national safety marks

Greater Bridgeport maintains a safety score of 97.3, reflecting a total crime rate of 1,688.5 per 100,000 people. This is substantially better than the national total crime rate of 2,385.5. The region offers a more secure environment for residents compared to many similarly sized metropolitan areas nationwide.

Trailing the Connecticut statewide average

The region's safety score of 97.3 falls just below the Connecticut average of 98.0. Its total crime rate of 1,688.5 also sits above the state average of 1,277.0. While Greater Bridgeport is safe, it experiences higher incident frequencies than the more rural parts of the state.

Comparing safety to nearby planning regions

Greater Bridgeport is safer than South Central Connecticut, where the crime rate reaches 2,576.1 per 100,000. It also shows lower total crime than the Capitol Region's 1,915.0. Local law enforcement across 6 agencies works to maintain this relative edge over adjacent urban corridors.

Violent crime trends above the state average

The regional violent crime rate of 221.8 per 100,000 is higher than the state average of 118.5, though still below the national 369.8. Property crime constitutes 1,466.7 of the total incidents recorded in 2022. This data suggests that while serious crimes occur, the majority of police activity involves theft or property damage.

Enhance your home's defensive perimeter

Strong locks and visible alarm systems are effective deterrents against the property crimes common in the region. Most incidents are crimes of opportunity that residents can mitigate with consistent security habits. Taking proactive steps ensures your home remains a safe sanctuary in the Greater Bridgeport area.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Lawn Care in Greater Bridgeport Planning Region

via LawnByCounty

Coastal Conditions Favor Healthy Lawns

Greater Bridgeport scores a 69.4 on the lawn difficulty index, nearly matching the state average of 71.1. This score indicates a favorable environment that is much easier to manage than the national median of 50.0. Gardeners here benefit from moderate coastal influences that stabilize growing conditions.

Consistent Rain Supports Turf Growth

The region receives 49.8 inches of annual precipitation, which is at the top end of the ideal range for grass health. With 13 extreme heat days annually, the region is warmer than the state average of 9 days but cooler than its northern neighbors. This balance allows for a robust mowing schedule throughout the mild summer months.

Building a Strong Soil Base

Detailed regional soil composition data is currently unavailable, making independent soil tests vital for local homeowners. To ensure your lawn thrives, aim for a balanced pH and well-draining substrate tailored to coastal Connecticut's unique landscape. Regular aeration can help manage compaction in areas where local data on texture is missing.

Managing Nine Weeks of Drought

Over the past year, the region faced 9 weeks of drought conditions, which is lower than many neighboring Connecticut counties. Currently, 100.0% of the area is classified as abnormally dry, suggesting a need for supplemental watering. Keeping grass taller during these dry spells helps shade the soil and preserve precious moisture.

Start Your Coastal Lawn Success

Fescues and perennial ryegrasses are excellent choices for the 51.6°F average annual temperature found here. Plan your major seeding projects for the fall to avoid the stress of the 13 annual extreme heat days. Healthy turf established now will easily withstand the region's 29.1°F January average.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Greater Bridgeport Planning Region's county score?
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, Connecticut has a composite county score of 28.6 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Greater Bridgeport Planning Region rank among counties in Connecticut?
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region ranks #8 among all counties in Connecticut on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, Connecticut?
The median annual property tax in Greater Bridgeport Planning Region is $8,670, with an effective tax rate of 2.02%. This earns Greater Bridgeport Planning Region a tax score of 2.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Greater Bridgeport Planning Region?
The median household income in Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, Connecticut is $89,667 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Greater Bridgeport Planning Region earns an income score of 90.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, Connecticut a good place to live?
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region scores 28.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #8 in Connecticut. The best way to evaluate Greater Bridgeport Planning Region is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Greater Bridgeport Planning Region with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.