City Comparison
Stamford vs West Haven
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
West Haven scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Stamford
West Haven
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
West Haven is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Stamford.
Housing costs are a major driver: Stamford's average rent is
40% higher than West Haven's.
| Metric | Stamford | West Haven | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,450 | $1,750 | +40% |
| Groceries | $520 | $420 | +24% |
| Utilities | $210 | $195 | +8% |
| Transport | $150 | $125 | +20% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $240 | +17% |
| Monthly Total | $3,610 | $2,730 | +32% |
| Cost Index | 142 | 108 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Stamford offers 29% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, West Haven delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Stamford is estimated at
$75,000 vs $58,000 in West Haven.
| Metric | Stamford | West Haven |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $88,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,972 idx | 62,963 idx |
| Household Income | $105,820 | $72,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.4°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — West Haven sees 1.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Stamford | West Haven |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.90°F | 52.50°F |
| Summer High | 83.00°F | 81.00°F |
| Winter Low | 22.90°F | 23.40°F |
| Rainfall | 46.80 in | 44.00 in |
| Snowfall | 19.80 in | 21.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | 253 |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 64.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Stamford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Stamford | West Haven |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Walkability | 61.0/100 | 61.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 44.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Stamford is the larger city
— approximately 2.4x the population of West Haven.
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 | Stamford | West Haven |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,470 | 55,584 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 39.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
West Haven
Advantages
Boasts the longest publicly accessible shoreline in Connecticut, featuring 3.5 miles of beaches and boardwalk.
Convenient commuter access via the West Haven Metro-North train station providing direct service to New York City and New Haven.
Hosts the University of New Haven, bringing vibrant academic energy, diverse demographics, and cultural events to the city.
More attainable home purchase prices and rental rates compared to neighboring coastal towns in Fairfield County.
Home to the major VA Connecticut Healthcare System campus, offering top-tier local medical services and employment.
Drawbacks
Overall property tax rates are relatively high, reflecting municipal budget pressures typical of Connecticut cities.
Certain areas experience heavy commuter traffic congestion along Route 1 and approaches to Interstate 95 during peak hours.
Coastal flood zones require residents in specific neighborhoods to secure mandatory flood insurance.
Aging public school infrastructure requires ongoing capital investment and modernization efforts.
Pockets of the city experience commercial vacancy rates that local economic development initiatives are actively working to revitalize.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
West Haven
#461Connecticut, USA
55.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
61.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
52.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
73
Business
67
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