Little Rock AR 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)
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
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
Little Rock
202,739
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Stockton
11.6%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 46.4% | 26.6% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 39.4% | 11.6% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $31,279 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 8.0% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 19.1% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
Stockton
53.2%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $431,297 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 53.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Stockton
503
Stockton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Stockton
2388
Stockton +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Stockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Stockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
Stockton
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Stockton
13.8%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.5% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.1% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.0% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.8% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Stockton
62.2°F
Stockton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 62.2°F | Stockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Stockton +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 33.2 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Stockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock 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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