Bridgeport Ranked Among Least Hard-Working Cities in U.S.

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

According to a new study from personal finance website WalletHub, Bridgeport, Connecticut has been ranked as one of the least hard-working cities in the United States. The study compared 116 of the largest cities in the country using 11 different metrics related to work habits, employment rates, average weekly work hours, and leisure time. When all the data was tallied, Bridgeport landed at number 111 out of 116, putting it among the bottom cities for work ethic.

Why it matters

The ranking of Bridgeport as one of the least hard-working cities in America has raised questions about the area's work culture and economic landscape, especially compared to other high-performing cities like Cheyenne, Wyoming and Washington, D.C. The findings challenge the common perception of Americans as hard-working, and could have implications for Bridgeport's reputation and future economic development.

The details

WalletHub's study looked at both "direct work factors" like weekly work hours and multiple job holders, as well as "indirect work factors" such as commute times and volunteer work. Bridgeport's poor performance across these metrics placed it near the bottom of the rankings, alongside other struggling cities like Detroit and Buffalo. However, experts caution that the rankings don't necessarily mean Bridgeport residents are lazy, as local industries, unemployment, and other economic conditions can heavily influence a city's work ethic metrics.

• The WalletHub study was published on March 13, 2026.