salaryStamford is the 2nd-largest city in Connecticut that we track, with 137,144 residents. Rent here is among the highest 10% in the country. A typical house costs about 5.2 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $115,600 a year. That is $56 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Connecticut cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Connecticut. It is number 58 of 64 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Stamford?
Share of households by yearly income. 44.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Stamford
| Size | Stamford | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,611 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,375 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,601 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,922 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,985 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Stamford overall?
Everyday prices in the Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury metro area are 7% above the U.S. average (index 106.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Stamford
Life in Stamford
What jobs pay in Stamford
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $180,610 | 19.2% |
| Software Developer | $162,650 | 21.3% |
| Pharmacist | $157,440 | 22.0% |
| Physician Assistant | $145,400 | 23.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $139,330 | 24.9% |
| Operations Manager | $137,230 | 25.3% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $121,700 | 28.5% |
| Civil Engineer | $107,870 | 32.1% |
| Registered Nurse | $105,660 | 32.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $103,390 | 33.5% |
| Accountant | $102,020 | 34.0% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $98,600 | 35.2% |
| Police Officer | $84,000 | 41.3% |
| Firefighter | $81,680 | 42.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $81,030 | 42.8% |
| Plumber | $79,700 | 43.5% |
| Electrician | $79,560 | 43.6% |
| HVAC Technician | $77,490 | 44.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $75,180 | 46.1% |
| Carpenter | $63,210 | 54.9% |
| Truck Driver | $61,580 | 56.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $49,970 | 69.4% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,970 | 72.3% |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,560 | 76.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $43,550 | 79.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $43,400 | 79.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $38,820 | 89.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,330 | 92.9% |
| Cashier | $36,420 | 95.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Stamford?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,442 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $624,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $62,440 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Stamford, CT?
Renting in Stamford costs a median of about $2,890 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Connecticut median is $1,920.
How much do I need to make to live in Stamford?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $115,600 a year, or $56 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Stamford cheap or expensive?
Stamford is rated OK: rent takes 28.8% of the typical household income of $120,346. It ranks 58th cheapest of 64 Connecticut cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Stamford?
The median homeowner in Stamford pays $9,314 a year in property taxes, about 1.49% of the median home value.
Is Stamford more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 7% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Stamford?
The median home value in Stamford is $624,400, about 5.2 times the typical yearly household income.
137,144 people live in Stamford. Numbers are typical (middle) values.