Salinas 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)
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
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
Salinas
161,993
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salinas
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Stockton
33.7
Foreign Born
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
Stockton
25.9%
White
Salinas
21.8%
Stockton
26.6%
Stockton +
Black
Salinas
1.4%
Stockton
11.6%
Stockton +
Asian
Salinas
5.7%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Stockton
45.2%
Spanish at Home
Salinas
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 33.7 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 25.9% | Salinas + |
| White | 21.8% | 26.6% | Stockton + |
| Black | 1.4% | 11.6% | Stockton + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 80.3% | 45.2% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Stockton
$76,851
Per Capita Income
Salinas
$28,813
Stockton
$31,279
Stockton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salinas
$77,230
Stockton
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Stockton
15.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salinas
15.5%
Stockton
19.1%
Stockton +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $89,150 | $76,851 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,813 | $31,279 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 8.0% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 15.4% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 15.5% | 19.1% | Stockton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salinas
$751,711
Stockton
$431,297
Stockton +
Homeownership Rate
Salinas
47.0%
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $751,711 | $431,297 | Stockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% | 53.2% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
503
Stockton
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
2388
Stockton
2388
Tie
| Metric | Salinas, 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
Salinas
32.8%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salinas
18.2%
Stockton
18.1%
Stockton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salinas
22.4%
Stockton
15.0%
Stockton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salinas
16.8%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
Stockton
13.8%
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.5% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 18.1% | Stockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 15.0% | Stockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.8% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
Stockton
17.8 in
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.3°F | 62.2°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.5 in | 17.8 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salinas
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salinas, 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
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 33.2 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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