Rochester 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)
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Rochester
41.5%
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 135,806 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 38.2 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 41.5% | 49.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 37.5% | 19.9% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $708,498 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Rochester, 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
Rochester
38.0%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.3% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.4% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 52.3°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 53.2 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, 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
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 30.1 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. 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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