San Bernardino 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)
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
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
San Bernardino
221,774
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Bernardino
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Stockton
33.7
Foreign Born
San Bernardino
22.9%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
San Bernardino
27.6%
San Bernardino +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
San Bernardino
11.8%
San Bernardino +
Stockton
11.6%
Asian
San Bernardino
4.1%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Stockton
45.2%
Spanish at Home
San Bernardino
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,774 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 33.7 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 22.9% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 27.6% | 26.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Black | 11.8% | 11.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 69.6% | 45.2% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Bernardino
$63,988
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
San Bernardino
$23,980
Stockton
$31,279
Stockton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Bernardino
$77,230
Stockton
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
San Bernardino
6.5%
San Bernardino +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
San Bernardino
19.5%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Bernardino
12.8%
Stockton
19.1%
Stockton +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,988 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,980 | $31,279 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 8.0% | San Bernardino + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.8% | 19.1% | Stockton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Bernardino
$492,059
Stockton
$431,297
Stockton +
Homeownership Rate
San Bernardino
48.5%
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $492,059 | $431,297 | Stockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 53.2% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
503
Stockton
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
2388
Stockton
2388
Tie
| Metric | San Bernardino, 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
San Bernardino
37.1%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
13.6%
Stockton
13.5%
Stockton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Bernardino
20.0%
Stockton
18.1%
Stockton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
20.2%
Stockton
15.0%
Stockton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.2%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.1%
Stockton
13.8%
Stockton +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.5% | Stockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 18.1% | Stockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.2% | 15.0% | Stockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.8% | Stockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Stockton
17.8 in
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Bernardino
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Bernardino, 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
San Bernardino
30.7 min
San Bernardino +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.7 min | 33.2 min | San Bernardino + |
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, Stockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Bernardino. San Bernardino has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, 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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