Roanoke VA 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)
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
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
Roanoke
98,677
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Stockton
11.6%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 57.5% | 26.6% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 29.0% | 11.6% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $31,279 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.0% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 19.1% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $431,297 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 53.2% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Stockton
13.5%
Stockton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Stockton
18.1%
Stockton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Stockton
13.8%
Stockton +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.5% | Stockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 18.1% | Stockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.8% | Stockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 62.2°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 33.2 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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