Sacramento 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)
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
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
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Stockton
320,470
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sacramento
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Sacramento
35.7
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Sacramento
21.3%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Sacramento
36.8%
Sacramento +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Stockton
11.6%
Asian
Sacramento
19.7%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Sacramento
29.5%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Sacramento
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 320,470 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 36.8% | 26.6% | Sacramento + |
| Black | 12.4% | 11.6% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 29.5% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Stockton
$76,851
Per Capita Income
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sacramento
$77,230
Stockton
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Sacramento
6.2%
Sacramento +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Stockton
15.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,753 | $76,851 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,300 | $31,279 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 8.0% | Sacramento + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 15.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 19.1% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sacramento
$480,548
Stockton
$431,297
Stockton +
Homeownership Rate
Sacramento
51.5%
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $480,548 | $431,297 | Stockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 53.2% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
503
Stockton
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
2388
Stockton
2388
Tie
| Metric | Sacramento, 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
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Stockton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
Stockton
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
14.3%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
Stockton
13.8%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 31.8% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.5% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 18.1% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 15.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.8% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
61.0°F
Sacramento +
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
18.5 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0°F | 62.2°F | Sacramento + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.5 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sacramento
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sacramento, 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
Sacramento
27.0 min
Sacramento +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 33.2 min | Sacramento + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 Sacramento. Sacramento has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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