Hartford CT 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)
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
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
Hartford
119,970
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Hartford
26.4%
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Stamford
28.1%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 38.2 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 26.4% | 49.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 36.1% | 19.9% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 28.1% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Stamford
$85,393
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $85,393 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $708,498 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Stamford
156
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Stamford
1524
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 156 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1524 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 12.3% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.4% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 52.3°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 53.2 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 30.1 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 156 in Hartford. 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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