City Comparison
Stamford vs East Hartford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
East Hartford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Stamford
East Hartford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
East Hartford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Stamford.
Housing costs are a major driver: Stamford's average rent is
55% higher than East Hartford's.
| Metric | Stamford | East Hartford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,450 | $1,583 | +55% |
| Groceries | $520 | $350 | +49% |
| Utilities | $210 | $250 | -16% |
| Transport | $150 | $300 | -50% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $200 | +40% |
| Monthly Total | $3,610 | $2,683 | +35% |
| Cost Index | 142 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Stamford offers 146% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Stamford delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Stamford is estimated at
$75,000 vs $29,796 in East Hartford.
| Metric | Stamford | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $88,000 | $35,770 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $29,796 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,972 idx | 37,653 idx |
| Household Income | $105,820 | $70,778 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Stamford runs warmer on average — a 52.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Stamford comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Stamford sees 19.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Stamford | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
East Hartford has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Stamford.
Stamford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Stamford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Stamford | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 26.0/100 |
| Walkability | 61.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Stamford is the larger city
— approximately 2.7x the population of East Hartford.
From a growth perspective, Stamford is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Stamford has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Stamford | East Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,470 | 50,693 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 38.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Stamford
Advantages
Median household income exceeds $105,000 per year per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Express Metro-North rail service gets commuters to New York City in under 50 minutes.
Vibrant downtown dining and entertainment district centered around Mill River Park.
Exceptional coastal access with multiple public parks and beaches along Long Island Sound.
Consistently ranked among the safest major cities in the state of Connecticut.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living is roughly 40% higher than the national U.S. average.
Severe rush-hour traffic congestion on Interstate 95 and local connector roads.
High median rent prices make affordable housing a significant challenge for service workers.
Steep property tax rates compared to other regions across the United States.
Winter snow accumulation averages nearly 20 inches, requiring frequent seasonal maintenance.
East Hartford
Advantages
The median household income in East Hartford grew by 5.73% from 2023 to 2024, reaching $70,778.
East Hartford's violent crime rate is 89% below the national average, contributing to a high safety score.
The cost of living in East Hartford is 11% lower than the Connecticut average, making it more affordable.
The average commute time of 22.4 minutes is shorter than the national average.
Employment in East Hartford grew at a rate of 2.21% from 2023 to 2024.
Drawbacks
East Hartford's population is projected to decline by -0.07% annually in 2026.
The town's Walk Score of 33 indicates it is car-dependent, with most errands requiring a car.
Educational attainment levels are lower than Hartford County, with 18% of residents having a four-year college degree or higher, compared to 40% in the County.
The Transit Score of 26 suggests limited public transportation options for car-free living.
East Hartford's crime rates are 17% higher than the Connecticut average, despite being lower than the national average for violent crime.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Stamford
#482Connecticut, USA
53.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,450
Avg Salary
$88,000
Cost Index
142
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
61.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
52.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
83
Business
79
East Hartford
#18Connecticut, USA
73.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,583
Avg Salary
$35,770
Cost Index
95
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
26.0/100
Walkability
33.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
73
Business
68
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