Living in Stamford, CT
Stamford is the 203rd-largest city in the US, home to about 140,000 people in 2025. It has grown 3% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run above the national average (106.9 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 139,535+3% since 2020
- Median home value
- $624,4005.6 years of median income
- Median rent
- $2,276/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $111,586median, per year
- Price level
- 106.9US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 38° / 85°lows 22° / 64°
- Average commute
- 29 min19% work from home
- State income tax
- 6.99%top rate, graduated
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County: Fairfield County
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 23 ft
Metro area: Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT
Cost of living in Stamford
The median home in Stamford is worth $624,400 and the median household earns $111,586 a year, so a typical home costs about 5.6 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $2,276 a month, about 24% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT metro area at 106.9, with housing at 150.5 and goods at 97.3 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $80,100 here. Connecticut taxes wages at a top rate of 6.99%. The average combined state and local sales tax in Connecticut is 6.35%.
What would my salary be worth in Stamford?
Stamford weather
Average highs run from 38°F in January to 85°F in July, and January nights average 22°F. It gets 52 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 34 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 119 times a year. The most comfortable months are May and July to August.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Stamford
People and work
The median resident is 38.4 years old, and 52% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 49% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 28 minutes; 19% of workers work from home and 10% take public transit.
- Median age
- 38.4387th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 52%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 49%of households
- People per sq mile
- 3,70837.6 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 10%5% walk, 0.1% bike
- Unemployment
- 4.9%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 10.1%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1973median year
Who moves to Stamford, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), West Palm Beach (Palm Beach County) and Boston (Suffolk County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to West Palm Beach (Palm Beach County), Los Angeles (Los Angeles County) and Cambridge (Middlesex County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Home prices
+5.1% in a year
Up 53% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
65% good days
21 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index () combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Stamford
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Yankee Stadium 25 miles
- Citi Field 26 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Stamford
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Westchester County Airport HPN | 9 mi | 1,182,384 |
| LaGuardia Airport LGA | 26 mi | 16,715,567 |
| Long Island MacArthur Airport ISP | 29 mi | 682,804 |
| John F. Kennedy International Airport JFK | 31 mi | 31,466,102 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Stamford
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stony Brook University | 24 mi | 18,101 | $18,902 | 77% |
| CUNY Lehman College | 22 mi | 10,696 | $541 | 48% |
| Nassau Community College | 23 mi | 10,630 | $8,506 | 23% |
| Fordham University | 22 mi | 10,512 | $42,760 | 81% |
| Farmingdale State College | 21 mi | 9,552 | $6,146 | 49% |
| CUNY Queensborough Community College | 24 mi | 8,940 | $2,114 | 22% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Stamford
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before April 17, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 12 and the first frost comes around October 23.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Stamford 5 N, CT, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Stamford.
Wildfire smoke in Stamford
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Stamford on about 108 days a year, including about 24 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Stamford
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 55,291 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Stamford
Downtown Stamford is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stamford School District | Pre-K to 12 | 16,185 | 21 | 12.2 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Norwalk School District (11,473 students), Greenwich School District (8,465 students), White Plains City School District (6,981 students), Westport School District (5,281 students), Darien School District (4,673 students), Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District (4,464 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Stamford's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Stamford's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Naperville, IL69% matchCompare
- Evanston, IL64% matchCompare
- Carmel, IN61% matchCompare
- Arlington Heights, IL61% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Stamford
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Stamford
- Thunder Ridge Ski Area 31 miles
- Campgaw Mountain Reservation 34 miles
- Tuxedo Ridge Ski Center 38 miles
- Woodbury Ski Area 40 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Stamford
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Nothing stands out in the data. Locals, what do you love about Stamford?
Cons
- Nothing stands out in the data. Locals, what should newcomers know?
Stamford report card from locals
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Stamford through locals' eyes
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Cities near Stamford
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norwalk, CT | 8 mi | 94,508 | $558,000 | 106.9 | Compare |
| New Rochelle, NY | 16 mi | 85,864 | $702,500 | 112.6 | Compare |
| Yonkers, NY | 19 mi | 212,603 | $501,600 | 112.6 | Compare |
| Bridgeport, CT | 20 mi | 152,273 | $274,900 | 106.9 | Compare |
| Danbury, CT | 24 mi | 89,033 | $411,200 | 106.9 | Compare |
| New York, NY | 31 mi | 8,584,629 | $777,600 | 112.6 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Stamford with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Stamford a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show no standout advantages on cost or climate. Compare Stamford side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Stamford?
The Census Bureau estimates Stamford had 139,535 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 135,434 in April 2020 (+3%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Stamford?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $80,100 in the Stamford area. The median household here earns $111,586.
When is the best time to visit Stamford?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May and July to August are the most comfortable months. July averages 85°F and January 38°F for daytime highs.
What county is Stamford in?
Stamford is in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Stamford in?
Stamford is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Stamford?
About 23 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Connecticut have a state income tax?
Yes. Connecticut has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 6.99% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Stamford. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Stamford 5 N, CT station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.