Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Stamford
38.2
Stamford +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 135,806 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 38.2 | Stamford + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 51.3% | 49.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 28.8% | 19.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $708,498 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 47.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Stamford
1524
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1524 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.3% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Stamford
53.2 in
Stamford +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 53.2 in | Stamford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Fort Lauderdale +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 30.1 min | Fort Lauderdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while fort Lauderdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,297. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Fort Lauderdale. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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