Stockton CA vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Stockton
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Stockton
33.7
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Stockton
26.6%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Stockton
11.6%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Syracuse
6.8%
Hispanic
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Stockton
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 320,470 | 146,211 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 25.9% | 12.1% | Stockton + |
| White | 26.6% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 11.6% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 6.8% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 45.2% | 10.3% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Stockton
$31,279
Stockton +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Stockton
$77,230
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Stockton
8.0%
Syracuse
7.4%
Syracuse +
Poverty Rate
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Stockton
19.1%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,851 | $45,845 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,279 | $27,570 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 7.4% | Syracuse + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 29.6% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.1% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Stockton
$431,297
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $431,297 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 41.3% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stockton
503
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stockton
2388
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.5%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Stockton
18.1%
Stockton +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Stockton
15.0%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.8%
Stockton +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.8% | 41.5% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 20.8% | Stockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 15.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 16.1% | Stockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stockton
62.2°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.2°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.8 in | 41.5 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Stockton
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Stockton
33.2 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.2 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, 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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