Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 135,806 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 38.2 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 41.5% | 49.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 34.1% | 19.9% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.9% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $708,498 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 47.5% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.3% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.4% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 53.2 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 30.1 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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