Greater Bridgeport's composite score of 50.8 sits just above the national median of 50.0, indicating average livability compared to counties across the United States. The region offers typical conditions without significant competitive advantages or disadvantages nationally.
2 / 5
Below Connecticut's state average
Greater Bridgeport ranks below Connecticut's average composite score of 56.9 with a score of 50.8, placing it in the lower tier of the state's planning regions. This gap suggests residents may find better overall conditions in other parts of Connecticut.
3 / 5
Health outcomes provide a bright spot
The region's health score of 81.0 is its strongest dimension, indicating reasonable access to medical care and wellness services. Median household income of $87,135 and manageable housing costs ($1,482 monthly rent) offer moderate affordability for working families.
4 / 5
Housing costs and incomes constrain affordability
Greater Bridgeport struggles with a cost score of 48.4 and an income score of 40.3, reflecting that housing remains expensive relative to local wages. The median home value of $397,000 paired with median household income of $87,135 creates a significant affordability gap for homebuyers.
5 / 5
For renters and those with established equity
Greater Bridgeport works best for renters with stable employment or homeowners who already own property, but is challenging for first-time buyers. It's an average-livability region that offers urban amenities and healthcare access without exceptional affordability or tax advantages.
About Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, Connecticut
Greater Bridgeport meets the national median
Greater Bridgeport's composite score of 50.8 sits just above the national median of 50.0, indicating average livability compared to counties across the United States. The region offers typical conditions without significant competitive advantages or disadvantages nationally.
Below Connecticut's state average
Greater Bridgeport ranks below Connecticut's average composite score of 56.9 with a score of 50.8, placing it in the lower tier of the state's planning regions. This gap suggests residents may find better overall conditions in other parts of Connecticut.
Health outcomes provide a bright spot
The region's health score of 81.0 is its strongest dimension, indicating reasonable access to medical care and wellness services. Median household income of $87,135 and manageable housing costs ($1,482 monthly rent) offer moderate affordability for working families.
Housing costs and incomes constrain affordability
Greater Bridgeport struggles with a cost score of 48.4 and an income score of 40.3, reflecting that housing remains expensive relative to local wages. The median home value of $397,000 paired with median household income of $87,135 creates a significant affordability gap for homebuyers.
For renters and those with established equity
Greater Bridgeport works best for renters with stable employment or homeowners who already own property, but is challenging for first-time buyers. It's an average-livability region that offers urban amenities and healthcare access without exceptional affordability or tax advantages.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛41.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
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.
Greater Bridgeport's rent-to-income ratio of 20.4% exceeds the national affordability ceiling, meaning renters here dedicate significantly more of their paychecks to housing than the sustainable 30% threshold allows. With median income at $87,135—still above the national median of $74,755—the region still faces tighter constraints than most U.S. markets.
Among Connecticut's least affordable counties
Greater Bridgeport ranks among the state's most expensive regions for renters, with a 20.4% rent-to-income ratio well above Connecticut's 18.1% average. At $1,482 per month, median rent here is $73 higher than the statewide average, reflecting regional cost pressures.
Priciest option in southwest Connecticut
Greater Bridgeport's $1,482 monthly rent tops both its western neighbor (Naugatuck Valley at $1,288) and its southern neighbor (South Central at $1,463 is nearly identical). This region commands premium prices within its subregion.
Housing gobbles larger income share
A Greater Bridgeport household earning $87,135 spends approximately $17,812 annually on rent (20.4%) or $25,896 on mortgage costs for a median home valued at $397,000—the highest home price among all eight regions. Housing consumes a noticeably larger slice of the budget here than state averages.
Premium housing market for relocators
Greater Bridgeport appeals to higher-earning professionals willing to pay for proximity and urban amenities, but budget-conscious movers should compare it against neighboring regions like Naugatuck Valley or Northeastern Connecticut for significantly lower costs.
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.
Greater Bridgeport reports a 17.2% poor/fair health rate, the highest among Connecticut's planning regions and above typical national benchmarks. This elevated rate signals serious health concerns affecting a significant share of the region's population.
Highest Uninsured Rate Statewide
Greater Bridgeport's 7.8% uninsured rate significantly exceeds Connecticut's 6.0% state average, meaning residents here face greater barriers to routine care. This gap reflects persistent economic and access challenges in the region.
Struggling Compared to Adjacent Regions
Greater Bridgeport's 17.2% poor/fair health rate is substantially worse than Lower Connecticut River Valley (12.2%), South Central Connecticut (15.6%), and Southeastern Connecticut (15.5%). Only Naugatuck Valley approaches Greater Bridgeport's health challenges.
Mental Health Services Fall Short
Greater Bridgeport has just 358 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, the lowest in Connecticut—well below regions like Capitol (656) and South Central (606). This shortage makes it harder for residents to access counseling, therapy, and behavioral health treatment.
Urgent: Get Health Coverage Now
With 7.8% of Greater Bridgeport residents uninsured, finding coverage should be a priority. Visit healthcare.gov, call 2-1-1 Connecticut, or contact Bridgeport's community health centers to explore Medicaid, subsidized ACA plans, and free care options in your area.
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region's composite risk score of 91.76 places it in the relatively moderate category, slightly above Connecticut's state average of 87.62. This balanced profile reflects moderate exposure across most hazard types, with particular concentration in coastal and urban-related risks.
Middle-of-the-pack risk across Connecticut
Greater Bridgeport ranks fourth among Connecticut's eight planning regions by disaster risk, sitting between Naugatuck Valley (93.19) and Southeastern Connecticut (88.64). The region's moderate composite score masks significant variation in individual hazard types.
Comparable risk to coastal planning regions
Greater Bridgeport's 91.76 score closely mirrors Naugatuck Valley (93.19) and slightly exceeds South Central Connecticut (95.13) in some hazards but falls below it overall. As a coastal region, it shares similar hurricane and flood profiles with other Long Island Sound planning areas.
Hurricane and flood threats dominate the coast
Hurricane risk (95.08) and flood risk (94.80) are the primary concerns, reflecting the region's coastal and urban geography prone to coastal storms and flash flooding. Earthquake risk (86.42) adds a secondary but meaningful threat, while wildfire and tornado risks remain comparatively low.
Hurricane and flood insurance are essential
If you own property in Greater Bridgeport, flood insurance is not optional—it's critical given your 94.80 flood risk score and your region's hurricane exposure. Verify your homeowners policy covers wind damage from storms, and consider a separate flood policy to protect against the region's most probable hazards.