City Comparison
Stamford vs Stratford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Stratford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Stamford
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 Stamford.
Housing costs are a major driver: Stamford's average rent is
26% higher than Stratford's.
| Metric | Stamford | Stratford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,450 | $1,950 | +26% |
| Groceries | $520 | $460 | +13% |
| Utilities | $210 | $190 | +11% |
| Transport | $150 | $130 | +15% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $260 | +8% |
| Monthly Total | $3,610 | $2,990 | +21% |
| Cost Index | 142 | 118 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Stamford offers 13% higher 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 Stamford is estimated at
$75,000 vs $65,000 in Stratford.
| Metric | Stamford | Stratford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $88,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,972 idx | 66,102 idx |
| Household Income | $105,820 | $88,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Stratford sees 2.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Stamford | Stratford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.90°F | 52.90°F |
| Summer High | 83.00°F | 80.40°F |
| Winter Low | 22.90°F | 24.20°F |
| Rainfall | 46.80 in | 44.50 in |
| Snowfall | 19.80 in | 22.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | 245 |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | Stratford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 61.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Stamford is the larger city
— approximately 2.6x the population of Stratford.
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 | Stratford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,470 | 52,305 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 42.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.50% |
| 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.
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.
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
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
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