Stamford CT vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Stamford
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Stamford
38.2
Winston-Salem
37.5
Winston-Salem +
Foreign Born
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Stamford
49.1%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Stamford
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,806 | 118,578 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.5 | Winston-Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 31.8% | 5.7% | Stamford + |
| White | 49.1% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 19.9% | 14.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 1.3% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 28.1% | 8.9% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Stamford
4.9%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
Winston-Salem
45.8%
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,474 | $63,900 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,382 | $46,062 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $59,120 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 16.3% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 45.8% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Stamford
$708,498
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $708,498 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 46.8% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Winston-Salem, NC | 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%
Stamford +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Stamford
16.4%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.5% | 42.7% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 13.1% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 17.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.8% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stamford
52.3°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stamford
53.2 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Winston-Salem, NC | 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 +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Stamford
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Stamford
30.1 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, 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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