St. Louis 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. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
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. Louis
293,109
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Louis
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
St. Louis
36.6
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
St. Louis
6.6%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Stockton
11.6%
Asian
St. Louis
3.4%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
St. Louis
5.1%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
St. Louis
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 320,470 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 45.7% | 26.6% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 43.1% | 11.6% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Louis
$55,279
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Louis
$58,527
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
St. Louis
19.8%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,279 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,947 | $31,279 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 8.0% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.2% | 19.1% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
St. Louis
45.4%
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $185,100 | $431,297 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.4% | 53.2% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
501
St. Louis +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
2418
Stockton
2388
Stockton +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | St. Louis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Stockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
36.8%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
13.2%
St. Louis +
Stockton
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Louis
18.8%
Stockton
18.1%
Stockton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
17.9%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
16.8%
Stockton
13.8%
Stockton +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.5% | St. Louis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.1% | Stockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 15.0% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.9% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 13.8% | Stockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Stockton
17.8 in
| Metric | St. Louis, 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. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Louis
55.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Stockton +
| Metric | St. Louis, 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. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 33.2 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, St. Louis is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs St. Louis, MOLos Angeles, CA vs St. Louis, MOChicago, IL vs St. Louis, MOHouston, TX vs St. Louis, MOPhoenix, AZ vs St. Louis, MOPhiladelphia, PA vs St. Louis, MO