Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 135,806 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.2 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 36.1% | 49.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 39.9% | 19.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 7.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $708,498 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 47.5% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Stamford
25.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Stamford
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Stamford
14.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Stamford
8.7%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 25.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 53.2 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Stamford +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stamford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Stamford
30.1 min
Stamford +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 30.1 min | Stamford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Philadelphia. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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