Stamford CT vs Surprise AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Stamford
135,806
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Stamford
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Stamford
38.2
Stamford +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Stamford
49.1%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Stamford
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,806 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 41.6 | Stamford + |
| Foreign Born | 31.8% | 6.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 49.1% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 19.9% | 4.8% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 2.6% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 28.1% | 19.2% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Surprise
$93,371
Per Capita Income
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Stamford
4.9%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Stamford
9.5%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,474 | $93,371 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,382 | $39,604 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $59,120 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 31.0% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Stamford
$708,498
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Stamford
47.5%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $708,498 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 450 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2150 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Surprise
29.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Stamford
14.4%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Stamford
12.3%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Stamford
16.4%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
Surprise
10.4%
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.5% | 29.4% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 11.2% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 10.4% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stamford
52.3°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stamford
53.2 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Stamford
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Stamford
30.1 min
Stamford +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 32.8 min | Stamford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Stamford, CTLos Angeles, CA vs Stamford, CTChicago, IL vs Stamford, CTHouston, TX vs Stamford, CTPhoenix, AZ vs Stamford, CTPhiladelphia, PA vs Stamford, CT