Stamford vs Elizabeth: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Stamford, CT and Elizabeth, NJ, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Elizabeth, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,413 | 135,665 |
| Median household income | $100,718 | $59,939 |
| Median home value | $584,700 | $358,400 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $2,129 | $1,390 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Stamford, CT and Elizabeth, NJ comes down to what you value most. Elizabeth has the lower median home value, and Elizabeth 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 Stamford or Elizabeth?
- By median home value, Elizabeth is the cheaper of the two ($358,400 vs $584,700). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Stamford or Elizabeth?
- Median household income is $100,718 in Stamford versus $59,939 in Elizabeth, per the US Census Bureau.