Is Bridgeport or Watertown Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Watertown is safer than Bridgeport (Safety Score 68/100 vs 45/100), with a total crime rate of 1,164 per 100,000 versus 1,863 for Bridgeport — 38% lower. Bridgeport has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Watertown has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Bridgeport is 6.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bridgeport — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Watertown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bridgeport, CT
Watertown, CT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bridgeport | Watertown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,863.2 | 1,164.0 | +699.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 394.2 | 13.4 | +380.8 |
| Murder Rate | 8.1 | 0.0 | +8.1 |
| Rape Rate | 41.9 | 4.5 | +37.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 153.2 | 0.0 | +153.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 189.7 | 9.0 | +180.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,469.0 | 1,150.6 | +318.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 224.1 | 89.5 | +134.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 771.6 | 895.4 | -123.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 473.2 | 165.6 | +307.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bridgeport or Watertown safer?
Watertown is safer with a total crime rate of 1,164 per 100K vs 1,863 for Bridgeport — a 38% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bridgeport has a violent crime rate of 394.2 per 100K while Watertown has 13.4. Watertown has lower violent crime.
About Bridgeport, CT
Bridgeport, Connecticut, once a manufacturing hub and home to P.T. Barnum, sits on Long Island Sound. It is the most populous city in the state. With a safety score of 45/100 and a population coverage of 148,132, Bridgeport has a total crime rate of 1,863.2 per 100,000 residents.
About Watertown, CT
Watertown, CT, once home to the Taft School, is a suburban town in Litchfield County. Its rolling hills and proximity to Waterbury define its landscape and the lives of its roughly 22,000 residents. With a safety score of 68/100 and a population coverage of 22,337, Watertown has a total crime rate of 1,164.0 per 100,000 residents.