City Comparison
Norwalk vs Stamford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Stamford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Norwalk
Stamford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Norwalk is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Stamford.
| Metric | Norwalk | Stamford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,350 | $2,450 | -4% |
| Groceries | $520 | $520 | 0% |
| Utilities | $210 | $210 | 0% |
| Transport | $140 | $150 | -7% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $280 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,500 | $3,610 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 142 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Stamford offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Norwalk delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Norwalk is estimated at
$72,000 vs $75,000 in Stamford.
| Metric | Norwalk | Stamford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $84,000 | $88,000 |
| Salary Needed | $72,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,625 idx | 61,972 idx |
| Household Income | $98,500 | $105,820 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Stamford sees 0.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Norwalk | Stamford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.60°F | 52.90°F |
| Summer High | 82.40°F | 83.00°F |
| Winter Low | 24.70°F | 22.90°F |
| Rainfall | 44.50 in | 46.80 in |
| Snowfall | 19.30 in | 19.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | 249 |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 64.00% |
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, Norwalk leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Norwalk | Stamford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 31 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 61.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Stamford is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Norwalk.
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 | Norwalk | Stamford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,184 | 135,470 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 37.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Norwalk
Advantages
Direct Metro-North commuter rail access to Grand Central Terminal in New York City
Thriving coastal lifestyle with extensive boating, marina, and beach access along Long Island Sound
Vibrant downtown SoNo district featuring diverse dining, arts, and the Maritime Aquarium
Robust local economy anchored by healthcare, professional services, and corporate headquarters
High educational attainment and strong public community engagement initiatives
Drawbacks
Cost of living and housing expenses significantly exceed the national average
Heavy commuter traffic congestion along the Interstate 95 and Route 7 corridors
Competitive real estate market with high median home purchase prices
High local property and state tax burdens typical of Fairfield County
Moderate car dependency in outer residential neighborhoods outside the urban core
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Norwalk
#495Connecticut, USA
53.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,350
Avg Salary
$84,000
Cost Index
128
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
53.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
78
Business
72
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
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