New Haven 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)
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
New Haven
132,893
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
New Haven
36.8%
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Black
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Stamford
28.1%
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.2 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 36.8% | 49.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 30.6% | 19.9% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 28.1% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
Stamford
$85,393
Tie
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $85,393 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $708,498 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
Stamford
156
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
Stamford
1524
Tie
| Metric | New Haven, 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
New Haven
37.9%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.3% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.4% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
New Haven +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | 52.3°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | 53.2 in | New Haven + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Haven, 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
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 30.1 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 156 in New Haven. 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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