Cost of Living in Stratford
Stratford's cost of living centers on housing priced modestly below Connecticut's own statewide median, offset by a real, high effective property tax rate.
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Learn moreHousing priced below the statewide median
Stratford's median sale price ran $440,000 in 2026 (Redfin), below Connecticut's own statewide median of approximately $476,500 -- a real, genuine, if modest, affordability edge.
A real, elevated property tax rate
Stratford's effective property tax rate ran approximately 4.02% per Ownwell, above Connecticut's already-elevated ~3.05% statewide median -- a real, meaningful ongoing cost that offsets some of the purchase-price advantage.
Connecticut's flat sales tax and graduated income tax
Connecticut's flat 6.35% state sales tax and graduated income tax (topping out at 6.99%) apply uniformly to Stratford as elsewhere in the state.
Key takeaways
- Stratford's median home price ($440,000) ran genuinely below Connecticut's statewide median.
- The real ~4.02% effective property tax rate is a meaningful, ongoing offsetting cost.
- Connecticut's flat 6.35% sales tax and 6.99% top income tax rate apply statewide, including in Stratford.
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