San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
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 Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Francisco
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
San Francisco
39.7
Stamford
38.2
Stamford +
Foreign Born
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
Stamford
31.8%
White
San Francisco
40.5%
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Black
San Francisco
5.1%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
San Francisco
15.9%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
San Francisco
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 135,806 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 38.2 | Stamford + |
| Foreign Born | 34.2% | 31.8% | San Francisco + |
| White | 40.5% | 49.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 5.1% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 35.0% | 7.1% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 15.9% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Stamford
$107,474
Per Capita Income
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Stamford
$64,382
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Francisco
$77,230
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
San Francisco
5.6%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
San Francisco
10.6%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
Stamford
51.7%
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $141,446 | $107,474 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,285 | $64,382 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 51.7% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Stamford
$708,498
Stamford +
Homeownership Rate
San Francisco
38.5%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,369,171 | $708,498 | Stamford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
503
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
2388
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | San Francisco, 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 Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Stamford
25.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.7%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Francisco
14.5%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
19.6%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.1%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 25.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 12.3% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
55.3°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 53.2 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Francisco
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Francisco, 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 Francisco
33.9 min
Stamford
30.1 min
Stamford +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 min | 30.1 min | Stamford + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 Francisco. 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 Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs San Francisco, CALos Angeles, CA vs San Francisco, CAChicago, IL vs San Francisco, CAHouston, TX vs San Francisco, CAPhoenix, AZ vs San Francisco, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs San Francisco, CA