Stamford CT vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Stamford
135,806
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Stamford
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Stamford
38.2
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
Washington
13.3%
White
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Stamford
19.9%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Stamford
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,806 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 31.8% | 13.3% | Stamford + |
| White | 49.1% | 39.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 19.9% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 4.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 28.1% | 11.6% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Washington
$106,287
Per Capita Income
Stamford
$64,382
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Stamford
$85,393
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Stamford
51.7%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,474 | $106,287 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,382 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.5% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 14.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Stamford
$708,498
Washington
$580,173
Washington +
Homeownership Rate
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $708,498 | $580,173 | Washington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 41.1% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 398 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1999 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Stamford
25.5%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Stamford
8.6%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
Washington
14.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Stamford
12.3%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
Washington
9.7%
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.5% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 14.6% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 24.0% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stamford
52.3°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stamford
53.2 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Stamford
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Stamford
30.1 min
Stamford +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Washington, DC | 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 washington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,173. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Washington. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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