Asheville NC vs Stockton CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Stockton, CA
California · Population: 320,470
- Median HH Income$76,851
- Median Home Price$431,297
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+19.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Stockton
320,470
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Stockton
33.7
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Stockton
25.9%
White
Asheville
N/A
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Stockton
11.6%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Stockton
21.1%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Stockton
45.2%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 320,470 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 33.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 25.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 26.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 11.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 21.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 45.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Stockton
$76,851
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Stockton
15.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $76,851 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $31,279 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 8.0% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 19.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Stockton
$431,297
Stockton +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Stockton
53.2%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $431,297 | Stockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 53.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Stockton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Stockton
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Stockton
13.8%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 31.8% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.5% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.1% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 15.0% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.8% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 62.2°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 33.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $431,297. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
Compare More Cities
Asheville, NC vs New York, NYAsheville, NC vs Los Angeles, CAAsheville, NC vs Chicago, ILAsheville, NC vs Houston, TXAsheville, NC vs Phoenix, AZAsheville, NC vs Philadelphia, PA