City Comparison
Milford vs Stratford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Milford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Milford
Stratford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Stratford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Milford.
Housing costs are a major driver: Milford's average rent is
33% higher than Stratford's.
| Metric | Milford | Stratford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,600 | $1,950 | +33% |
| Groceries | $450 | $460 | -2% |
| Utilities | $180 | $190 | -5% |
| Transport | $120 | $130 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $260 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $3,600 | $2,990 | +20% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 118 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Stratford offers 8% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Stratford delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Milford is estimated at
$65,000 vs $65,000 in Stratford.
| Metric | Milford | Stratford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,016 idx | 66,102 idx |
| Household Income | $110,669 | $88,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.4°F of each other.
| Metric | Milford | Stratford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.50°F | 52.90°F |
| Summer High | 80.00°F | 80.40°F |
| Winter Low | 23.80°F | 24.20°F |
| Rainfall | 44.50 in | 44.50 in |
| Snowfall | 22.20 in | 22.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 245 | 245 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Milford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Milford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Milford | Stratford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Milford is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Stratford is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Milford has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Milford | Stratford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 52,684 | 52,305 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.30% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 46.6 | 42.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Milford
Advantages
Milford features 17 miles of scenic coastline, including the popular Silver Sands State Park and multiple public beaches per city records.
The median household income in Milford stands at a robust $110,669 per the U.S. Census Bureau ACS data.
Crime rates in Milford remain significantly below the national average, making it one of New Haven County's safer communities.
The Metro-North commuter rail station provides direct, seamless access to New Haven, Stamford, and New York City.
Over 88% of local adults surveyed by DataHaven report that their neighborhood is an exceptional place to raise children.
Drawbacks
Average monthly rent of $2,600 is significantly higher than the national average, straining affordability for mid-income renters.
High property demand and limited housing inventory make purchasing a single-family home highly competitive and expensive.
Interstate 95 through the coastal corridor experiences heavy rush-hour congestion and bottlenecks.
The median age of 46.6 years indicates a relatively older demographic base, with fewer young working-age singles.
Property taxes in Connecticut can create a heavy financial burden for long-term homeowners.
Stratford
Advantages
Direct access to Long Island Sound with scenic waterfront parks like Short Beach and Long Beach.
Convenient commuter access via the Stratford Metro-North train station along the New Haven Line.
Strong local employment anchored by major aerospace and manufacturing employers like Sikorsky Aircraft.
Rich colonial history and distinct neighborhood character, including the scenic Lordship peninsula.
More attainable housing options compared to immediate neighboring towns in western Fairfield County.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and property taxes remain notably higher than the national U.S. average.
High degree of car dependency for daily errands outside of immediate downtown and transit areas.
Vulnerability to coastal weather events and occasional flooding along low-lying shoreline areas.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major corridors like I-95 and Route 1.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options directly within town borders compared to larger cities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Milford
#380Connecticut, USA
59.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,600
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
52.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
82
Business
70
Stratford
#462Connecticut, USA
55.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
52.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
77
Business
70
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Milford and Stratford.
Open Cost Calculator