Springfield MO 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
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
169,432
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Stockton
33.7
Foreign Born
Springfield
3.8%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Springfield
4.3%
Stockton
11.6%
Stockton +
Asian
Springfield
1.7%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
Springfield
5.6%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 85.2% | 26.6% | Springfield + |
| Black | 4.3% | 11.6% | Stockton + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$45,984
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$30,864
Stockton
$31,279
Stockton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$58,527
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Springfield
19.4%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
30.3%
Springfield +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,984 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,864 | $31,279 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 8.0% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.4% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 19.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
42.9%
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,279 | $431,297 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.9% | 53.2% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
501
Springfield +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
2418
Stockton
2388
Stockton +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Stockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
37.7%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
20.0%
Stockton
18.1%
Stockton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.6%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.1%
Stockton
13.8%
Stockton +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.5% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 18.1% | Stockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 15.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 13.8% | Stockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
45.6 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.3°F | 62.2°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Stockton +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.5 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 $245,279. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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