Stockton CA vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Stockton
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
Vancouver
13.6%
White
Stockton
26.6%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Stockton
11.6%
Stockton +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Vancouver
5.3%
Hispanic
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Stockton
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 320,470 | 192,696 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 37.5 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 25.9% | 13.6% | Stockton + |
| White | 26.6% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 11.6% | 3.1% | Stockton + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 5.3% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 45.2% | 17.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Stockton
$76,851
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Stockton
$31,279
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Vancouver
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Stockton
8.0%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Stockton
15.4%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Stockton
19.1%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,851 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,279 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.1% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Stockton
$431,297
Stockton +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $431,297 | $510,577 | Stockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 49.9% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stockton
503
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stockton
2388
Stockton +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Stockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.5%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Stockton
18.1%
Stockton +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Stockton
15.0%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.8%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.8% | 36.2% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 19.1% | Stockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stockton
62.2°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.2°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.8 in | 41.6 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Stockton
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Stockton
33.2 min
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.2 min | 25.1 min | Vancouver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while stockton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $431,297. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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