Lancaster CA 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)
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
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
Lancaster
170,013
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Lancaster +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Stockton
11.6%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Stockton
45.2%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 35.5% | 26.6% | Lancaster + |
| Black | 21.4% | 11.6% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 45.2% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Stockton
$31,279
Stockton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Stockton
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Lancaster +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $31,279 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 8.0% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 19.1% | Lancaster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Stockton
$431,297
Stockton +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Stockton
53.2%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $431,297 | Stockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 53.2% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Stockton
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Stockton
2388
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Stockton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Stockton
18.1%
Stockton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Stockton
13.8%
Stockton +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 31.8% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.5% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 18.1% | Stockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.0% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.8% | Stockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Lancaster +
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
Stockton
17.8 in
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 62.2°F | Lancaster + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | 17.8 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Lancaster +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 33.2 min | Lancaster + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, while stockton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $431,297. On public safety, Stockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Lancaster has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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