Durham 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Stockton
11.6%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 44.0% | 26.6% | Durham + |
| Black | 34.4% | 11.6% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Stockton
$76,851
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Stockton
15.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $76,851 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $31,279 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 8.0% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 15.4% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 19.1% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $431,297 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 53.2% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | Durham, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Stockton
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Stockton
13.8%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 13.5% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.1% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 15.0% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.8% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 62.2°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, 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
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 33.2 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while durham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,509. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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