Springfield IL 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)
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
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
Springfield
113,714
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
40.7
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
Springfield
4.5%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Stockton
11.6%
Asian
Springfield
2.9%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Springfield
3.4%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 4.5% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 70.5% | 26.6% | Springfield + |
| Black | 19.8% | 11.6% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 3.4% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$65,537
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$68,110
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
6.7%
Springfield +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Springfield
16.5%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,537 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,110 | $31,279 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 8.0% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.1% | 19.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
Stockton
53.2%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $168,312 | $431,297 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 53.2% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
41.1%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
Stockton
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
16.7%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.7%
Stockton
13.8%
Stockton +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.5% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.1% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 15.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.8% | Stockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
37.7 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Stockton +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 33.2 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, 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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