City Comparison

Kent vs Stamford

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Kent

Washington
137
Expensive
$595,000
Median Home
$1,750/mo
Median Rent
$98,300
Median Income

Stamford

Connecticut
158
Very Expensive
$580,000
Median Home
$2,400/mo
Median Rent
$95,272
Median Income

The Verdict

13.3%

Living in Kent costs 13.3% less than Stamford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Kent, you would need $86,496 in Stamford.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
195
Kent
232
Stamford
Groceries
109
Kent
110
Stamford
Utilities
92
Kent
128
Stamford
Transportation
117
Kent
107
Stamford
Healthcare
122
Kent
114
Stamford

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Kent has the same purchasing power as $86,496 in Stamford.

Conversely, $75,000 in Stamford equals $65,032 in Kent.

Living in Kent vs Stamford

Housing Costs

Kent's housing index of 195 is lower Stamford's 232, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $580,000. The $15,000 difference in home prices means roughly $972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Kent compared to $2,400/mo in Stamford, a monthly difference of $650.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 109 in Kent and 110 in Stamford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $518/month in Kent vs $523/month in Stamford. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Kent and 128 in Stamford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Kent vs $512 in Stamford. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 122 in Kent and 114 in Stamford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $98,300 in Kent and $95,272 in Stamford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,752 and $60,299 respectively. Kent residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,294/month to housing in Kent vs $2,223/month in Stamford. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/mo fits within this budget. In Stamford, median rent of $2,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kent is 13.3% more affordable overall with an index of 137 vs 158.
A $75,000 salary in Kent has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $86,496 in Stamford, based on the cost of living difference.
Kent's housing index is 195 with median homes at $595,000, while Stamford's is 232 with median homes at $580,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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