Fullerton CA 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)
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
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
Fullerton
141,278
Fullerton +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fullerton
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Fullerton
36.1
Fullerton +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Fullerton
28.9%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Fullerton
43.0%
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Black
Fullerton
2.1%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
Fullerton
39.6%
Fullerton +
Stamford
28.1%
Spanish at Home
Fullerton
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 135,806 | Fullerton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.2 | Fullerton + |
| Foreign Born | 28.9% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 43.0% | 49.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 2.1% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 24.5% | 7.1% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 39.6% | 28.1% | Fullerton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fullerton
$104,219
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Fullerton
$48,061
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fullerton
$77,230
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Fullerton
6.5%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Fullerton
12.2%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fullerton
43.6%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,219 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,061 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Stamford
$708,498
Stamford +
Homeownership Rate
Fullerton
51.5%
Fullerton +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,047,700 | $708,498 | Stamford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 47.5% | Fullerton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
503
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
2388
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Stamford
25.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.9%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fullerton
16.8%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.2%
Fullerton +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
15.0%
Fullerton +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
9.2%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.9% | 25.5% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.3% | Fullerton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.4% | Fullerton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
65.1°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
13.9 in
Fullerton +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.1°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.9 in | 53.2 in | Fullerton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fullerton
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fullerton
32.5 min
Stamford
30.1 min
Stamford +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 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 503 in Fullerton. 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, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
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