Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Stockton
320,470
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Stockton
11.6%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 320,470 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 53.8% | 26.6% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 27.5% | 11.6% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Stockton
$76,851
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Stockton
15.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $76,851 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $31,279 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 8.0% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 15.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 19.1% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Stockton
$431,297
Stockton +
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $431,297 | Stockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 53.2% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Stockton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
Stockton
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
Stockton
13.8%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 31.8% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 13.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 18.1% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.0% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 13.8% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | 62.2°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 33.2 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while stockton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $431,297. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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