The topography of Stafford is gently rolling, typical of the Midland Plain. The town center sits at an elevation of approximately 80 meters (262 feet) above sea level. It is nestled within a shallow valley created by the River Sow, meaning the central and riverside areas are relatively flat and historically prone to flooding—a feature that originally provided natural defense for the early settlement.
Surrounding the town are modest hills and ridges. The most prominent topographical feature in the immediate vicinity is the elevated ridge to the west, upon which the ruins of Stafford Castle sit, providing panoramic views of the town and surrounding countryside. To the south and southeast, the terrain rises gradually toward the higher, undulating plateau of Cannock Chase, which reaches elevations of over 200 meters (650 feet).