Boston MA 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)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
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
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Boston
47.8%
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 135,806 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 38.2 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 47.8% | 49.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 21.5% | 19.9% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 7.1% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Stamford
$85,393
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
Stamford
51.7%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $85,393 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 51.7% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Stamford
$708,498
Stamford +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $708,498 | Stamford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Stamford
1524
| Metric | Boston, MA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1524 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Stamford
25.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Stamford
8.6%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 25.5% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 8.6% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 12.3% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Boston +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Boston +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Boston, MA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | 52.3°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 53.2 in | Boston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Stamford
30.1 min
Stamford +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 30.1 min | Stamford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, 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 326 in Boston. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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