Stockton CA vs Visalia CA — 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Stockton
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Stockton
33.7
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
Visalia
20.1%
White
Stockton
26.6%
Visalia
36.5%
Visalia +
Black
Stockton
11.6%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Visalia
4.4%
Hispanic
Stockton
45.2%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Stockton
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 320,470 | 135,983 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 25.9% | 20.1% | Stockton + |
| White | 26.6% | 36.5% | Visalia + |
| Black | 11.6% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 4.4% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 45.2% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Visalia
$70,663
Per Capita Income
Stockton
$31,279
Stockton +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Stockton
$77,230
Visalia
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Stockton
8.0%
Stockton +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Stockton
19.1%
Stockton +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,851 | $70,663 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,279 | $26,955 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 11.6% | Stockton + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 20.0% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.1% | 12.4% | Stockton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Stockton
$431,297
Visalia
$397,983
Visalia +
Homeownership Rate
Stockton
53.2%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $431,297 | $397,983 | Visalia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stockton
503
Visalia
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stockton
2388
Visalia
2388
Tie
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Visalia
32.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.5%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Stockton
18.1%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Stockton
15.0%
Visalia
13.0%
Visalia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.8%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.8% | 32.2% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 13.0% | Visalia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.8% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stockton
62.2°F
Stockton +
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stockton
17.8 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.2°F | 63.3°F | Stockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.8 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Stockton
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Stockton
33.2 min
Stockton +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.2 min | 41.6 min | Stockton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, while visalia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $397,983. On public safety, Visalia is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. Stockton has a lower unemployment rate at 8.0%, and Visalia 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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