Stockton CA vs Surprise AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Stockton, CA
California · Population: 320,470
- Median HH Income$76,851
- Median Home Price$431,297
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+19.1%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Stockton
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Stockton
26.6%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Stockton
11.6%
Stockton +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Stockton
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 320,470 | 149,519 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 41.6 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 25.9% | 6.8% | Stockton + |
| White | 26.6% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 11.6% | 4.8% | Stockton + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 2.6% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 45.2% | 19.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Stockton
$76,851
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Stockton
$31,279
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Stockton
8.0%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Stockton
15.4%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Stockton
19.1%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,851 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,279 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.1% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Stockton
$431,297
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Stockton
53.2%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $431,297 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stockton
503
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stockton
2388
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Stockton
31.8%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.5%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Stockton
18.1%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Stockton
15.0%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.8%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.8% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.9% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stockton
62.2°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stockton
17.8 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Stockton
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Stockton
33.2 min
Surprise
32.8 min
Surprise +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.2 min | 32.8 min | Surprise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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