Stamford, CT vs West Hartford, CT
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Stamford, CT and West Hartford, CT spend within 5.7% of each other per resident — $52,355 versus $49,530 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
West Hartford, CT holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 75/100 (grade B) against 61/100 (grade C) for Stamford, CT — a 14-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
West Hartford, CT reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while Stamford, CT carries $239 per resident. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: education leads in Stamford, CT at $31,665 per resident and in West Hartford, CT at $36,675.
They also fund themselves differently: other revenue is the largest single revenue source in Stamford, CT at 6% of total revenue, whereas West Hartford, CT relies most on intergovernmental transfers at 3%.
Summary
Stamford spends 5.7% more per capita than West Hartford ($2,825/person difference). West Hartford, CT has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 75/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $0 | $41 |
| Sales Tax | $690 | $1,399 |
| Income Tax | $262 | $0 |
| Intergovernmental | $1,226 | $2,341 |
| Other | $2,342 | $1,522 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $615 | $464 |
| Highways & Roads | $865 | $387 |
| Education | $31,665 | $36,675 |
| Public Welfare | $597 | $1,942 |
| Health | $0 | $505 |
| Hospitals | $24 | $539 |
| Parks & Recreation | $579 | $1,675 |
| Housing | $3,222 | $2,852 |
| Utilities | $1,134 | $17 |
| Other | $13,653 | $4,475 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.