Modesto 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)
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
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
Modesto
218,614
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Stockton
11.6%
Stockton +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 50.8% | 26.6% | Modesto + |
| Black | 4.7% | 11.6% | Stockton + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Stockton
$76,851
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Stockton
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Modesto +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Stockton
15.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Modesto +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $76,851 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $31,279 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 8.0% | Modesto + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 15.4% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 19.1% | Modesto + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Stockton
$431,297
Stockton +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Stockton
53.2%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $431,297 | Stockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 53.2% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Stockton
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Stockton
2388
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, 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
Modesto
36.2%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Stockton
18.1%
Stockton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
Stockton
13.8%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.5% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.1% | Stockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.0% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 13.8% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Stockton
62.2°F
Stockton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Stockton
17.8 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 62.2°F | Stockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 17.8 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, 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
Modesto
30.5 min
Modesto +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 33.2 min | Modesto + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, 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 Modesto. Modesto has a lower unemployment rate at 7.3%, 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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