Portland OR 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)
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
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
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Stockton
320,470
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Stockton
11.6%
Stockton +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 320,470 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 70.1% | 26.6% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 11.6% | Stockton + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Stockton
$76,851
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Stockton
15.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $76,851 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $31,279 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.0% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 15.4% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 19.1% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Stockton
$431,297
Stockton +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $431,297 | Stockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 53.2% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Portland +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Stockton
2388
Stockton +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Stockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Stockton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Stockton
18.1%
Stockton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
Stockton
13.8%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 31.8% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 13.5% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.1% | Stockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 15.0% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.8% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 62.2°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Stockton +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Portland, OR | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 33.2 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while stockton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $431,297. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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