Manchester NH 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)
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Manchester
115,415
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Manchester +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 38.2 | Manchester + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 76.7% | 49.1% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.9% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $708,498 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 47.5% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Stamford
156
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Stamford
1524
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 156 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1524 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Stamford
16.4%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.3% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.4% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 52.3°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 53.2 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 30.1 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while manchester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $441,257. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 156 in Stamford. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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