Manchester NH 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)
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Manchester
115,415
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Stockton
11.6%
Stockton +
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 76.7% | 26.6% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 11.6% | Stockton + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Stockton
$76,851
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Stockton
15.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $76,851 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $31,279 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 8.0% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 15.4% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 19.1% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Stockton
$431,297
Stockton +
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $431,297 | Stockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 53.2% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 503 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 2388 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
Stockton
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
Stockton
13.8%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.1% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.0% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.8% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 62.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 33.2 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while stockton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $431,297. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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