Seattle WA 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)
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
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
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Seattle
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Seattle
19.9%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Seattle
6.6%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
Seattle
8.2%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Seattle
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 135,806 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 38.2 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 61.8% | 49.1% | Seattle + |
| Black | 6.6% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 17.2% | 7.1% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 8.2% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Stamford
$107,474
Per Capita Income
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Stamford
$64,382
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Seattle
$76,120
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Seattle
9.9%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
Stamford
51.7%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,984 | $107,474 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $82,508 | $64,382 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.9% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 67.5% | 51.7% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Seattle
$871,599
Stamford
$708,498
Stamford +
Homeownership Rate
Seattle
44.3%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $871,599 | $708,498 | Stamford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
383
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
3409
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Stamford
25.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Stamford
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Seattle
15.3%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Seattle
19.0%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
Stamford
8.7%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 25.5% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 8.6% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 12.3% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 8.7% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
52.6°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.6°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.5 in | 53.2 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Seattle
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Seattle
28.8 min
Seattle +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 30.1 min | Seattle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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