Stamford, CT vs West Haven, CT

The cost of living difference between Stamford, CT and West Haven, CT is dramatic. West Haven is 54% cheaper than Stamford, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Stamford has a cost index of 152 while West Haven sits at 99, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Stamford is $2,207/month compared to $1,389/month in West Haven — a 59% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: West Haven is more affordable at $265,200 median vs $614,300.

Median household income in Stamford is $107,474 compared to $73,566 in West Haven (+46.1%). The higher salaries in Stamford partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Stamford spend roughly 24.6% of their income on rent, more than the 22.7% in West Haven.