Stamford CT vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Stamford
135,806
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Stamford
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Stamford
38.2
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Stamford
49.1%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Stamford
7.1%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Stamford
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,806 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 31.8% | 9.1% | Stamford + |
| White | 49.1% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 19.9% | 18.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 28.1% | 8.9% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Stamford
4.9%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Stamford
9.5%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,474 | $90,685 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,382 | $47,372 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $69,581 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 40.4% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Stamford
$708,498
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Stamford
47.5%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $708,498 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Virginia Beach
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 240 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1726 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Stamford
12.3%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Stamford
16.4%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.5% | 36.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 11.8% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 16.7% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 12.1% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stamford
52.3°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stamford
53.2 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Stamford +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Stamford
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Stamford
30.1 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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