Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Stockton
320,470
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Stockton
11.6%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 320,470 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 36.1% | 26.6% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 39.9% | 11.6% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Stockton
8.0%
Stockton +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $31,279 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 8.0% | Stockton + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 19.1% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $431,297 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 53.2% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2388 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Stockton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Stockton
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Stockton
13.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Stockton
13.8%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 62.2°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Stockton +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Stockton
33.2 min
Stockton +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 33.2 min | Stockton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. Stockton has a lower unemployment rate at 8.0%, and Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Philadelphia, PALos Angeles, CA vs Philadelphia, PAChicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PAHouston, TX vs Philadelphia, PAPhiladelphia, PA vs Phoenix, AZPhiladelphia, PA vs San Antonio, TX