San Jose 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 Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
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 Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Jose
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
San Jose
38.1
San Jose +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
Stamford
31.8%
White
San Jose
29.0%
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Black
San Jose
2.9%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Stamford
28.1%
Spanish at Home
San Jose
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 990,054 | 135,806 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 38.2 | San Jose + |
| Foreign Born | 41.6% | 31.8% | San Jose + |
| White | 29.0% | 49.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 2.9% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 38.6% | 7.1% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 30.9% | 28.1% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Stamford
$107,474
Per Capita Income
San Jose
$63,253
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Jose
$77,230
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Stamford
9.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Jose
46.5%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $141,565 | $107,474 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $63,253 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.9% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 9.5% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Jose
$1,452,609
Stamford
$708,498
Stamford +
Homeownership Rate
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,452,609 | $708,498 | Stamford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.0% | 47.5% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Jose
503
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Jose
2388
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | San Jose, 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 Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Stamford
25.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Jose
11.1%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Jose
14.9%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Jose
9.4%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.7% | 25.5% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.3% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.4% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Jose
61.5°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.5°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.9 in | 53.2 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Jose
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Jose, 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 Jose
30.4 min
Stamford
30.1 min
Stamford +
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 30.1 min | Stamford + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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