Stockton CA vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Stockton
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Stockton
26.6%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Stockton
11.6%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Stockton
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 320,470 | 250,887 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 35.6 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 25.9% | 10.7% | Stockton + |
| White | 26.6% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 11.6% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 2.3% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 45.2% | 17.9% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Stockton
$31,279
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Stockton
8.0%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Stockton
19.1%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,851 | $57,673 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,279 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 17.9% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.1% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Stockton
$431,297
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Stockton
53.2%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $431,297 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stockton
503
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stockton
2388
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.5%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Stockton
18.1%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Stockton
15.0%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.8%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.8% | 31.9% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 17.5% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stockton
62.2°F
Stockton +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.2°F | 63.8°F | Stockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.8 in | 58.4 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Stockton
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Stockton
33.2 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.2 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $419,326. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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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