Stamford CT vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Stamford
135,806
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Stamford
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Stamford
38.2
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Stamford
49.1%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Stamford
7.1%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Stamford
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,806 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 31.8% | 12.2% | Stamford + |
| White | 49.1% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 19.9% | 10.5% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 28.1% | 13.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,474 | $83,857 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,382 | $44,756 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $76,120 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.3% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 12.0% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 33.5% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Stamford
$708,498
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Stamford
47.5%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $708,498 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 383 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 3409 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Stamford
12.3%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.5% | 37.3% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 10.9% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 18.7% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.8% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 11.9% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stamford
53.2 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.3°F | 53.5°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Stamford
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Stamford
30.1 min
Stamford +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 31.1 min | Stamford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Tacoma. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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