Stockton CA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Stockton
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
Worcester
23.2%
White
Stockton
26.6%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Stockton
11.6%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Stockton
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 320,470 | 205,501 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 34.1 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 25.9% | 23.2% | Stockton + |
| White | 26.6% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 11.6% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 6.9% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 45.2% | 24.9% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Stockton
$31,279
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Stockton
$77,230
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Stockton
8.0%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Stockton
19.1%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,851 | $67,544 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,279 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 19.8% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.1% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Stockton
$431,297
Stockton +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $431,297 | $435,532 | Stockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 42.4% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stockton
503
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stockton
2388
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.5%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Stockton
18.1%
Stockton +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Stockton
15.0%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.8%
Stockton +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.8% | 35.3% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 19.9% | Stockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 17.1% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.5% | Stockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stockton
62.2°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.2°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.8 in | 48.1 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Stockton
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Stockton
33.2 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.2 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, while stockton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $431,297. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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