City Comparison
Norwalk vs Stratford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Stratford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Norwalk
Stratford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Stratford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Norwalk.
Housing costs are a major driver: Norwalk's average rent is
21% higher than Stratford's.
| Metric | Norwalk | Stratford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,350 | $1,950 | +21% |
| Groceries | $520 | $460 | +13% |
| Utilities | $210 | $190 | +11% |
| Transport | $140 | $130 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $260 | +8% |
| Monthly Total | $3,500 | $2,990 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 118 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Norwalk offers 8% 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 Norwalk is estimated at
$72,000 vs $65,000 in Stratford.
| Metric | Norwalk | Stratford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $84,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $72,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,625 idx | 66,102 idx |
| Household Income | $98,500 | $88,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Stratford sees 2.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Norwalk | Stratford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.60°F | 52.90°F |
| Summer High | 82.40°F | 80.40°F |
| Winter Low | 24.70°F | 24.20°F |
| Rainfall | 44.50 in | 44.50 in |
| Snowfall | 19.30 in | 22.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | 245 |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Norwalk 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 | Stratford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Norwalk is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Stratford.
From a growth perspective, Norwalk is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Norwalk has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Norwalk | Stratford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,184 | 52,305 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 42.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 4.50% |
| 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
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.
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
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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