San Diego CA 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)
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
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
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
San Diego
5.7%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Stamford
28.1%
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 135,806 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 38.2 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 50.4% | 49.1% | San Diego + |
| Black | 5.7% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 7.1% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 28.1% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
Stamford
$708,498
Stamford +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
San Diego +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $708,498 | Stamford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 47.5% | San Diego + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Stamford
25.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 25.5% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.3% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 53.2 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 30.1 min | San Diego + |
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 503 in San Diego. 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, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs San Diego, CALos Angeles, CA vs San Diego, CAChicago, IL vs San Diego, CAHouston, TX vs San Diego, CAPhoenix, AZ vs San Diego, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs San Diego, CA