Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler receives the higher standardized Area Score. That reflects AreaProfile's weighting, not a judgment about which place is better to live in.
Signals
Stockton-Lodi
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
Opportunity
39 · Bottom 17%
vs43 · Bottom 25%
Growth
50 · Top 49%
vs63 · Top 30%
Climate
76 · Top 15%
vs59 · Bottom 22%
Physical resilience
24 · Bottom 12%
vs44 · Bottom 34%
Housing affordability
63 · Bottom 7%
vs66 · Bottom 9%
Access
100 · Top 1%
vs95 · Top 15%
Economic stability
70 · Top 25%
vs75 · Top 19%
Measured values
| Metric | Stockton-Lodi | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 797,334 | 5,028,754 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $92,179 | $88,301 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $37,266 | $45,239 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 573/sq mi | 345/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $530,700 | $440,900 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,734 | $1,702 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 62.0% | 66.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 6.2% | 4.9% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.8% | -3.9% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.7% | 35.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.4% | 11.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 2,274 | 34,635 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.9 | 6.9 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -34.9% | -17.2% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 95°F | 107°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 39°F | 46°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 13.4" | 7.2" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 3 mi | 17 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 35.0 min | 28.4 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 35.4 | 37.9 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Stockton-Lodi
Elevated or high exposure: drought, earthquake.
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
Elevated or high exposure: inland flooding.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Stockton-Lodi
60
Your Score
52
Area Score
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
64
Your Score
57
Area Score
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Full profiles: Stockton-Lodi, CA Metro Area · Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology