Ontario 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)
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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
Ontario
138,723
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ontario
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Ontario
36.9
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Ontario
21.0%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Ontario
1.6%
Stockton
11.6%
Stockton +
Asian
Ontario
13.1%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Ontario
40.0%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Ontario
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 53.6% | 26.6% | Ontario + |
| Black | 1.6% | 11.6% | Stockton + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 40.0% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Stockton
$76,851
Per Capita Income
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ontario
$77,230
Stockton
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Stockton
15.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $116,945 | $76,851 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,759 | $31,279 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 8.0% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.2% | 15.4% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 19.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ontario
$671,948
Stockton
$431,297
Stockton +
Homeownership Rate
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
Stockton
53.2%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $671,948 | $431,297 | Stockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 53.2% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
503
Stockton
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
2388
Stockton
2388
Tie
| Metric | Ontario, 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
Ontario
33.6%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
Stockton
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ontario
17.0%
Stockton
15.0%
Stockton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ontario
15.7%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Stockton
13.8%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.5% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.1% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.0% | Stockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.8% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
65.5°F
Stockton
62.2°F
Stockton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
Stockton
17.8 in
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.5°F | 62.2°F | Stockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.0 in | 17.8 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ontario
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ontario, 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
Ontario
28.2 min
Ontario +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 33.2 min | Ontario + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, 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 Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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
New York, NY vs Ontario, CALos Angeles, CA vs Ontario, CAChicago, IL vs Ontario, CAHouston, TX vs Ontario, CAOntario, CA vs Phoenix, AZOntario, CA vs Philadelphia, PA