St. Charles 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)
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
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
St. Charles
71,542
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Charles
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
St. Charles
37.9
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
St. Charles
4.2%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
St. Charles
6.7%
Stockton
11.6%
Stockton +
Asian
St. Charles
1.4%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
St. Charles
7.7%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
St. Charles
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,542 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 80.4% | 26.6% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 6.7% | 11.6% | Stockton + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Charles
$55,578
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
St. Charles
$31,499
St. Charles +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Charles
$58,527
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
St. Charles
18.7%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Charles
22.7%
St. Charles +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,578 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,499 | $31,279 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 8.0% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.7% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.7% | 19.1% | St. Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
Stockton
53.2%
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $144,200 | $431,297 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.4% | 53.2% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Charles
501
St. Charles +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Charles
2418
Stockton
2388
Stockton +
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | St. Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Stockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
35.9%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
Stockton
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
18.4%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
Stockton
13.8%
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.5% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.1% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 15.0% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 13.8% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Charles
N/A
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Charles
N/A
Stockton
17.8 in
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | 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.)
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Charles
55.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Stockton +
| Metric | St. Charles, 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
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.3 min | 33.2 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, St. Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. St. Charles 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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