Stockton CA vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Stockton
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Stockton
25.9%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Stockton
26.6%
West Palm Beach
44.0%
West Palm Beach +
Black
Stockton
11.6%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
West Palm Beach
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Stockton
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Stockton, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 320,470 | 119,508 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 40.2 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 25.9% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 26.6% | 44.0% | West Palm Beach + |
| Black | 11.6% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 2.5% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 45.2% | 24.6% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Stockton
$31,279
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Stockton
8.0%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Stockton
15.4%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Stockton
19.1%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,851 | $69,261 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,279 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.1% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Stockton
$431,297
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Stockton, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $431,297 | $399,650 | West Palm Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 50.2% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stockton
503
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stockton
2388
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Stockton
31.8%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.5%
Stockton +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Stockton
18.1%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Stockton
15.0%
Stockton +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.3%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.8%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.8% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.7% | Stockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.9% | Stockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stockton
62.2°F
Stockton +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Stockton, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.2°F | 75.4°F | Stockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.8 in | 62.3 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Stockton
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Stockton, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Stockton
33.2 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.2 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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