Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Stockton
320,470
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Stockton
11.6%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 320,470 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 39.9% | 26.6% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 46.9% | 11.6% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Stockton
$76,851
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $76,851 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $31,279 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.0% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 19.1% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $431,297 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 53.2% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Stockton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Stockton
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Stockton
13.8%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 31.8% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.5% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.1% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 15.0% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.8% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Stockton +
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 33.2 min | Atlanta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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