Stockton CA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Stockton
320,470
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Stockton
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
Washington
13.3%
White
Stockton
26.6%
Washington
39.1%
Washington +
Black
Stockton
11.6%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Stockton
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 320,470 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 34.9 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 25.9% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| White | 26.6% | 39.1% | Washington + |
| Black | 11.6% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 4.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 45.2% | 11.6% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Stockton
$76,851
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Stockton
$31,279
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Stockton
$77,230
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Stockton
8.0%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Stockton
15.4%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Stockton
19.1%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,851 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,279 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.1% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Stockton
$431,297
Stockton +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $431,297 | $580,173 | Stockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 41.1% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stockton
503
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stockton
2388
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Stockton
31.8%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.5%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Stockton
18.1%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Stockton
15.0%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.8%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.8% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 24.0% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stockton
62.2°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stockton
17.8 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Washington, DC | 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
Stockton +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Stockton
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Stockton
33.2 min
Washington
32.8 min
Washington +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.2 min | 32.8 min | Washington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while stockton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $431,297. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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