New Haven vs Stamford: Cost of Living (2026)

A side-by-side comparison of New Haven, CT and Stamford, CT, using US Census Bureau data.

MetricNew Haven, CTStamford, CT
Population135,736135,413
Median household income$54,305$100,718
Median home value$236,500$584,700
Median rent (/mo)$1,402$2,129

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.

Comparing New Haven, CT and Stamford, CT comes down to what you value most. New Haven has the lower median home value, and New Haven has the lower median rent.

Stamford has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to live in New Haven or Stamford?
By median home value, New Haven is the cheaper of the two ($236,500 vs $584,700). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
Which has higher salaries, New Haven or Stamford?
Median household income is $54,305 in New Haven versus $100,718 in Stamford, per the US Census Bureau.

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