New York NY 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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 York
8,516,202
New York +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
New York +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Stamford
31.8%
White
New York
35.9%
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
Stamford
28.1%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 135,806 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 38.2 | New York + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 31.8% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 49.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 22.7% | 19.9% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 7.1% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 28.1% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | New York, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Stamford
$708,498
Stamford +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | New York, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $708,498 | Stamford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | New York, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
Stamford
25.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
New York +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | New York, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 25.5% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.3% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
New York +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | New York, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 53.2 in | New York + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
Stamford
30.1 min
Stamford +
| Metric | New York, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 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 434 in New York. 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, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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