Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 38.2 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 81.8% | 49.1% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Stamford
51.7%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 51.7% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Stamford
$708,498
Stamford +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Boulder +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $708,498 | Stamford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 47.5% | Boulder + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Stamford
25.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Stamford
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 25.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 8.6% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 12.3% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 52.3°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 53.2 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 30.1 min | Boulder + |
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 512 in Boulder. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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