Salt Lake City UT 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)
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
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
Salt Lake City
203,888
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salt Lake City
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Stockton
33.7
Foreign Born
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Stockton
11.6%
Stockton +
Asian
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Salt Lake City
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 33.7 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 70.5% | 26.6% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 2.7% | 11.6% | Stockton + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 20.8% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Stockton
15.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,925 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,642 | $31,279 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 8.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.9% | 19.1% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Stockton
$431,297
Stockton +
Homeownership Rate
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,126 | $431,297 | Stockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.8% | 53.2% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 503 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2388 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Stockton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Stockton
18.1%
Stockton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Stockton
13.8%
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.5% | 31.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 13.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 18.1% | Stockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 15.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 13.8% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
Stockton
17.8 in
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8°F | 62.2°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 17.8 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.3 min | 33.2 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, while stockton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $431,297. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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