Newark NJ 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)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
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
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Stamford
31.8%
White
Newark
16.5%
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Stamford
28.1%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 135,806 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 38.2 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 31.8% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 49.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 46.7% | 19.9% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 28.1% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $708,498 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Stamford
1524
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1524 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 12.3% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.4% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 53.2 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Stamford
30.1 min
Stamford +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 30.1 min | Stamford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while newark offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $482,675. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 218 in Newark. 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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