Charlotte 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Stockton
320,470
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Charlotte +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Stockton
11.6%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 320,470 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 41.5% | 26.6% | Charlotte + |
| Black | 34.1% | 11.6% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Stockton
$76,851
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Stockton
15.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $76,851 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $31,279 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 8.0% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 15.4% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 19.1% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $431,297 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 53.2% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Stockton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Stockton
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Stockton
13.8%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 31.8% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 13.5% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.1% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.0% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.8% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Charlotte +
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 62.2°F | Charlotte + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, 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
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 33.2 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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