Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Stockton
320,470
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Stockton
26.6%
Stockton +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Stockton
11.6%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 320,470 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 25.0% | 26.6% | Stockton + |
| Black | 62.9% | 11.6% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Stockton
8.0%
Stockton +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $31,279 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 8.0% | Stockton + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 19.1% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $431,297 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 53.2% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Stockton
503
Stockton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Stockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Stockton
13.5%
Stockton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Stockton
18.1%
Stockton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Memphis +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Stockton
13.8%
Stockton +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.5% | Stockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 18.1% | Stockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.0% | Memphis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 13.8% | Stockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 62.2°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 33.2 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Stockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Stockton has a lower unemployment rate at 8.0%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Memphis, TN vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Memphis, TNChicago, IL vs Memphis, TNHouston, TX vs Memphis, TNMemphis, TN vs Phoenix, AZMemphis, TN vs Philadelphia, PA