A guide from the Staci Zampa Team
Leaving New York City for the suburbs is a rite of passage for a lot of people, more space, better quality of life, and a calmer pace without losing access to Manhattan. But here’s what many don’t realize until they start running numbers: depending on where you move, your taxes can either unlock affordability… or eat it right back up.
If you’re torn between Fairfield County (Stamford, Darien, Greenwich) and Westchester (White Plains, Rye, Scarsdale), let’s break down what really matters: property taxes, income taxes, commuting costs, and the fine print that affects your bottom line.
What this really means is simple: your money stretches differently in Connecticut than it does in New York, and Stamford often gives you the best mix of lower taxes, lower costs, and big-city convenience.
1. The First Big Difference: Connecticut Has No Local Income Tax
New York State income tax + New York City income tax is one of the biggest reasons people look north.
If you currently live in NYC, you’re paying:
- State income tax: roughly 4% to 6.85%
- NYC income tax: roughly 3.1% to 3.9%
Once you leave NYC, the city tax disappears.
Once you leave New York altogether, both disappear.
Connecticut has:
- State income tax: roughly 3% to 6.99%
- No local/city income tax at all
So if you’re comparing Stamford to Westchester, here's the real difference:
Stamford vs. Westchester Income Taxes
Westchester residents still pay New York State income tax.
Stamford residents do not.
If you're a high-earning household, that shift alone can save you thousands per year—money that offsets mortgage payments, childcare, or renovations.
2. Property Taxes: Westchester Is Higher, But Fairfield Has Its Nuances
Here’s the truth: both counties have higher-than-average property taxes compared to the national numbers. But they’re not equal.
Westchester’s Reality:
Westchester routinely ranks among the highest property-tax counties in the entire country. It’s not unusual to see annual bills from $20,000 to $35,000+ depending on the town and home value. Scarsdale, Rye, and Bronxville sit on the very high end.
School funding is heavily tied to property taxes, so taxes scale aggressively as home values rise.
Fairfield County’s Reality:
Fairfield County taxes vary by town, but they generally land lower than Westchester at the same home price point.
Stamford, in particular, offers:
- A strong school system
- A large, diverse tax base
- Urban/suburban blend that keeps mill rates competitive
A $700–900K home in Stamford typically carries property taxes in the $10,000–15,000 range, depending on neighborhood and assessment. Compare that to a similar home in many Westchester suburbs, where taxes often break $20,000–30,000.
Same price house → very different carrying costs.
3. Cost of Living: Small Differences That Add Up
Let’s zoom out for a second. Taxes are a huge part of the picture, but everyday costs matter too.
What’s typically cheaper in Stamford:
- Groceries
- Gas
- Dining and takeout
- Utilities
- Parking and car expenses
- Childcare (in many cases)
If you're used to NYC pricing, Stamford feels refreshingly reasonable—without sacrificing the restaurant scene, amenities, or lifestyle. And if you’re comparing it to Westchester, you’ll often find Stamford slightly more affordable across day-to-day expenses.
4. But What About the Commute?
Here’s where Stamford really shines if you work in Manhattan.
Stamford → NYC
Express trains run as fast as 47 minutes to Grand Central.
Westchester → NYC
Depending on the town, you’re looking at:
- 35–50 minutes from the closer suburbs
- 55–75 minutes from farther towns
So in many cases, commute time is basically the same, and sometimes Stamford is faster than northern Westchester. And because Stamford is a major transportation hub, trains are frequent, consistent, and reliable.
The bonus?
Stamford has a walkable downtown, plenty of parking options, and access to Harbor Point—all of which give you a lifestyle that feels more urban and less car-dependent.
5. Housing Value: What You Get for Your Money
Here’s where people moving from NYC to Stamford really notice the difference.
In Westchester, your budget goes fast: you’re paying for the name, the schools, and the prestige of specific ZIP codes. Those markets are saturated with bidding wars and stiff competition.
Stamford gives you:
- More square footage
- Newer construction options
- Luxury rentals with waterfront views
- A growing restaurant and cultural scene
- A genuine blend of urban convenience + suburban comfort
You get variety—coastal neighborhoods, single-family pockets, walkable downtown living, and the entire Harbor Point waterfront lifestyle.
And when you pair that with lower taxes? Your monthly payment suddenly feels a lot more doable.
6. The Real Math: How Much You Might Actually Save
Every household is different, but here’s a simplified example using typical numbers clients consider when relocating:
Example Home Price: $850,000
- Westchester property taxes: ~$25,000/year
- Stamford property taxes: ~$13,000/year
Savings: $12,000 per year on property taxes alone.
Income Taxes Difference
If you're moving from Westchester to Stamford, you lose New York State income tax. Depending on your bracket, that could easily save $6,000–$12,000 per year.
Total Potential Savings
A typical NYC → Stamford mover who was considering Westchester instead often saves:
$15,000–$25,000+ per year
when combining property taxes, income taxes, and everyday cost-of-living shifts.
That’s real money. That’s renovations, savings, vacations, or reducing the pressure of monthly payments.
7. Quality of Life: The Part You Can’t Put in a Spreadsheet
The tax savings matter. But so does how your life actually feels day-to-day.
Stamford brings something unique to the table:
- A downtown that feels alive, not sleepy
- Harbor Point and its waterfront boardwalk
- Beaches, parks, trails, and nature preserves
- An incredible restaurant scene
- Young professionals, families, transplants, and long-time locals mixed together
- A clean, well-maintained city with real community
It’s suburban, but not quiet in that “nothing happens here” way. It’s vibrant without feeling frantic. It’s balanced, and that’s why the NYC crowd keeps coming.
And when you pair that quality of life with financial advantages, Stamford becomes a compelling alternative to Westchester for anyone who wants the NYC lifestyle with breathing room.
8. Work With a Team That Knows the NYC → Stamford Move Inside Out
If you’re comparing Fairfield County and Westchester, the smartest thing you can do is talk with a local expert who actually understands how taxes, neighborhoods, commute patterns, and budgeting affect your move.
That’s where the Staci Zampa Team comes in.
As Stamford experts with a deep understanding of the NYC relocation market, they help buyers:
- Understand the real cost differences
- Compare neighborhoods apples-to-apples
- Identify the best values in today’s market
- Get clarity around schools, commutes, and lifestyle fit
- Make clean, confident offers
The NYC-to-Stamford pipeline isn’t slowing down, and having a team who knows exactly what you care about makes the transition easier, smoother, and smarter.
Thinking About Making the Move?
If you're relocating from NYC and want lower taxes, more space, and a vibrant lifestyle without losing Manhattan access, Stamford hits the sweet spot. And the savings are real.
Ready to explore your options or want a neighborhood-by-neighborhood tax comparison?
The Staci Zampa Team is here to guide you.
