Stamford, located in Connecticut, is a vibrant city known for its bustling economy and proximity to New York City. Understanding the cost of living in Stamford is crucial for anyone considering moving to or living in the area.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the various expenses you can expect, from dining and groceries to housing and transportation, helping you plan your budget effectively.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $15 on average, with a range between $15 and $45.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $77.5, with prices ranging from $70 to $110.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $8.75, with a range between $8 and $13.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $3 to $12, imported beer $7 to $10, cappuccino $3 to $6, and Coke/Pepsi $2 to $3.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $0.79 and $1.58 per liter, averaging $1.14.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $1.1 and $5.39, with an average price of $4.73.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $2 to $4.99, averaging $3.66.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $4.41 to $6.61 per kg, while oranges range from $3.31 to $6.59 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $3.31 and $6.59 per kg, and lettuce costs $1.89 to $2.99 per head.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $2.75 and $4, with a monthly pass priced at $30.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.85 and $0.99 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $8.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $2800 to $3200, averaging $3000.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $2200 to $2500, averaging $2333.33.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $4400 to $6500, averaging $5300.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $3800 to $5800, averaging $4533.33.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre ranges from $3703 to $4305.56, averaging $4004.28.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter ranges from $3229.17 to $3703, averaging $3466.09.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $85 and $700, averaging $173.47.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $40 to $270, with an average cost of $56.8.
Worldwide
United States

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for the United States are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in United States, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Dec, 2024
Full Cost of Living Rankings

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 17 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$15.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$77.50
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$8.75
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.50
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.00
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.56
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.17
Cappuccino (regular)
$4.25
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.14
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$4.73
Eggs (regular) (12)
$3.66
Local Cheese (1kg)
$15.42
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.50
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$16.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.73
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.95
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$17.00
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$19.84
Apples (1kg)
$5.50
Oranges (1kg)
$4.95
Potato (1kg)
$4.40
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.44
Rice (white), (1kg)
$8.81
Tomato (1kg)
$6.59
Banana (1kg)
$2.20
Onion (1kg)
$4.39
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$15.42
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$3.38
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$30.00
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.92
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$35,817.62
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$8.00
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$0.00
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$0.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$26,070.69
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$3,000.00
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$2,333.33
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$5,300.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$4,533.33
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$173.47
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$56.80
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$58.33
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$112.50
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.50
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$12.75
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.17
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$25.00
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$87.50
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$126.67
Buy Apartment Price
Avg / Range
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre
$4,004.28
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre
$3,466.09
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,728.33
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
6.4%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$1,400.00
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$40,000.00
Stamford Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Stamford offers a diverse range of dining options, with prices varying significantly based on the type of restaurant.

Grocery prices in Stamford are relatively high, particularly for fresh produce and dairy products.

Transportation costs are moderate, with affordable public transport options and competitive fuel prices.

Housing in Stamford is on the expensive side, especially in the city centre, but there are more affordable options outside the centre.

Utilities and internet services can vary widely in cost, so it's important to shop around for the best deals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Stamford presents a relatively high cost of living, particularly in terms of housing and groceries. However, the city offers a vibrant lifestyle with a range of amenities and services.

For those considering a move to Stamford, it's advisable to budget carefully and explore different neighborhoods to find the best balance between cost and convenience.