Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Stockton
33.7
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Stockton
11.6%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 33.7 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 57.6% | 26.6% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 11.6% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $31,279 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 8.0% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 19.1% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $431,297 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 53.2% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | Athens, GA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Stockton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Stockton
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Stockton
13.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Stockton
13.8%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Stockton
62.2°F
Stockton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 62.2°F | Stockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Stockton +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 33.2 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Athens, GA vs New York, NYAthens, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAthens, GA vs Chicago, ILAthens, GA vs Houston, TXAthens, GA vs Phoenix, AZAthens, GA vs Philadelphia, PA