Columbus 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Columbus +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Stockton
11.6%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 39.3% | 26.6% | Columbus + |
| Black | 46.7% | 11.6% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Columbus +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $31,279 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 8.0% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 19.1% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $431,297 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 53.2% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Stockton
13.5%
Stockton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Stockton
18.1%
Stockton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Columbus +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Stockton
13.8%
Stockton +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.5% | Stockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.1% | Stockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 15.0% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.8% | Stockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Stockton
62.2°F
Stockton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 62.2°F | Stockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Stockton +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 33.2 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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