Montgomery AL 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)
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- 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
Montgomery
198,440
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Montgomery +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Stockton
11.6%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 27.7% | 26.6% | Montgomery + |
| Black | 63.0% | 11.6% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $31,279 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 8.0% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 19.1% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
Stockton
53.2%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $431,297 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 53.2% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 503 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2388 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Stockton
13.5%
Stockton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Stockton
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Stockton
13.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Stockton
13.8%
Stockton +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.5% | Stockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.1% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.3% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.8% | Stockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Stockton
62.2°F
Stockton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | 62.2°F | Stockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 33.2 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, 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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