Stamford CT vs Waterbury CT — 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%
Waterbury, CT
Connecticut · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$280,921
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Stamford
135,806
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Stamford
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Stamford
38.2
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Stamford
31.8%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Stamford
49.1%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Stamford
19.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Stamford
7.1%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Stamford
28.1%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Stamford
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,806 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 31.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 49.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 19.9% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 7.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 28.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Stamford
$107,474
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Stamford
$64,382
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Stamford
$85,393
Waterbury
$85,393
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Stamford
4.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Stamford
9.5%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Stamford
51.7%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,474 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $64,382 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $85,393 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Stamford
$708,498
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
Stamford
47.5%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $708,498 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stamford
156
Waterbury
156
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stamford
1524
Waterbury
1524
Tie
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 156 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1524 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Stamford
16.4%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.5% | 40.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 14.1% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 19.1% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 18.5% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 16.2% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stamford
52.3°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stamford
53.2 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Waterbury, CT | 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
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Stamford
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Stamford
30.1 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Waterbury offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $280,921. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 156 in Stamford. Waterbury 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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