Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Stamford
28.1%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 135,806 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 38.2 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 39.1% | 49.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 28.4% | 19.9% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 7.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 28.1% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $708,498 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.3% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 52.3°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 53.2 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Stamford +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stamford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Stamford
30.1 min
Stamford +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 30.1 min | Stamford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. 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, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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