Berkeley CA vs Stamford CT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Berkeley
120,223
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 38.2 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 54.8% | 49.1% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 7.1% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Stamford
$107,474
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Stamford
$64,382
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Stamford
51.7%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $107,474 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $64,382 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 51.7% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Stamford
$708,498
Stamford +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $708,498 | Stamford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Stamford
25.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Stamford
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Stamford
8.7%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 25.5% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.6% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 12.3% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 8.7% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 53.2 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Stamford
30.1 min
Stamford +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 30.1 min | Stamford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while stamford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $708,498. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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