Between Albuquerque and Stockton, ABQ is the better city. Stockton is the administrative seat of San Joaquin County. The city is expensive compared to Albuquerque. Stockton also has a higher crime rate.
People know Albuquerque as an affordable city. But it has crime rates that are higher than the national average.
The major downfalls of Stockton here are its crime rate and cost of living. The cost of living in Stockton is also higher than the national average. It may be lower than the rest of California. But it is still higher than most cities in the US.
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What are the pros and cons of Albuquerque vs. Stockton?
Albuquerque is more affordable than Stockton. But the city’s crime rates are high. On the other hand, Stockton has plenty of activities to offer but also suffers from higher crime rates.
The advantages of living in Albuquerque outweigh the benefits of living in Stockton.
Both cities have unique outdoor activities for the offering.
Both cities are affordable.
But it is Stockton’s crime rates that pull it down. Also, it is more expensive.
Stockton Living
Living in Stockton allows you to enjoy the many outdoor activities the city offers. Aside from these activities, the city has a low cost of living.
Let us learn more about how it is to live in Stockton.
Pros
Here are the things you should get excited about with Stockton.
- Low Cost of California Living
- Great Weather
- Activities for the Residents
The one primary positive attribute of living in Stockton is its low cost of living.
If you are familiar with California living, you would know that the cost of living within the state is always higher than the national average.
And this is common. But there are other places like Stockton have a lower cost of living.
To clarify, the cost of living in Stockton is higher than the national average. But about 90 minutes away from Stockton in San Francisco, where the cost of living is more than doubled compared to Stockton.
The most expensive slice of your budget in Stockton is housing.
It is above the national average in housing costs. But it is still affordable compared to the rest of California.
If you aim to move to a city in California, Stockton is a great choice. It is more affordable than the rest of the state.
Generally, the weather in Stockton is warm.
I am sure you know that you can expect nothing but sunshine when you move to California.
And there are lots of them here.
During winter, instead of snow, expect rain to fall.
If you love warm and sunny days all year round, this is your best bet.
Compared to other major cities like LA, Stockton may not be as fun.
But the city will not bore you either.
It has many places for you to visit.
The city has a lot of activities for you to do.
If you live in Stockton, you will experience and discover everything that makes it a fantastic city.
For example, you can visit the Haggin Museum. The Children’s Museum of Stockton and the Historic Bob Hope Theater are also there.
There are a lot of festivals in this city. Also, they have a horde of other celebrations that happen all year round.
And because the population is diverse, there is always a celebration somewhere in the city.
Cons
Indeed, there are downfalls in Stockton.
Here they are.
- Crimes
- High Poverty Rate
- Car-Dependent
Stockton used to be the center of the heroin trade in California.
As of this writing, this is no longer true. But crimes are still rampant in the city. And yes, the impact is unimaginable, especially on the town’s livability.
When it comes to the poverty rate, Stockton is high in numbers.
The income is lower here compared to the rest of California. Also, most of the city’s urban poor belong to ethnic minorities.
The factors to blame will always be the low wages and the high unemployment rate in the city.
When you live in Stockton, you need to have a car.
The city is car-dependent. Having no car would make it difficult for you to move around the city.
Yes, the city has a public transportation system. But it is unreliable. You also have limited options.
Albuquerque Living
Albuquerque is famous for being affordable. It also has a lot of activities for its residents.
Aside from these, the city is also full of friendly locals.
It also has a relaxed vibe.
Pros
Buckle up. Here are the reasons you will love it here.
- The Outdoors
- A Heartwarming Welcome
- A Laid Back Lifestyle
- Manageable Traffic
First of all, Albuquerque has many outdoor activities for your taking.
It is perfect for backpacking. It has museums, galleries, and parks for your entertainment.
Aside from these places, the city also has lakes. It has trails and many more ideal for biking, hiking, and camping.
Fishing and swimming are popular activities.
And when you think you have already seen it all, why don’t you go skiing during winter?
Yes, you can ski in some parts of Albuquerque during winter.
The city is full of neighborhoods of friendly locals.
These locals are genuinely friendly and can easily give you that heartwarming welcome you crave. It is easy to feel at home here.
Do not mistake the behavior as over and beyond the normal. It is because there is no such thing in Albuquerque.
When the locals talk to you, they genuinely want to know you.
Albuquerque has a more relaxed vibe compared to other cities.
Here, people take their time in almost everything that they do. I am not saying that they do not rush. I am not saying they move slow.
What I mean by this is that they do not stress over most things.
The residents take their sweet time.
And if you like a more laid-back lifestyle, Albuquerque will, for sure, give it to you.
Heavy traffic and longer commutes are common problems in other major cities.
But these two are not issues when in the city.
Compared to the national average, it takes a shorter commute in Albuquerque.
Cons
Of course, Albuquerque also has downsides.
Here are a few of them.
- Not Enough Jobs
- Strong Windy
- Crimes
There are not many jobs available in Albuquerque.
Yes, there may be jobs available here. But whatever jobs are available may not pay as much as in other cities.
Also, the unemployment rate here is higher than in most cities in the US.
It is advisable to have a job that is ready before moving here.
Here’s a little trivia for you.
Technically, Albuquerque is a canyon.
And because it is a canyon, you should expect the city to be windy.
The strong winds usually come during or before storms. And when these winds come, they bring with them disturbing noises. Aside from that, the winds also get a lot of dust that could be uncomfortable for somebody with allergies.
Before you move to a city, you must check its crime rates.
And in Albuquerque, the crime rates are higher. It has always been on a steady rise for the past three years. And this is a significant concern.
Most crimes stem from the use of drugs. There are also property crimes around. Aside from these, car prowling and theft at home are common.
However, not all of Albuquerque has high crime rates.
When moving to the city, choose properties outside the city center.
They are safer.
Albuquerque or Stockton – Which is cheaper?
Generally, Albuquerque is cheaper than Stockton. It has affordable housing, more inexpensive transportation, and low-cost healthcare products and services.
| Living Expenses | Albuquerque | Stockton |
| Housing | 88 | 128.6 |
| Food & Groceries | 96 | 103.9 |
| Health | 81.1 | 101.8 |
| Utilities | 97.2 | 108.9 |
| Transportation | 89.4 | 115.5 |
Data is based on 100 = US National Average
>100 means more than the national average
<100 means cheaper than the national average
Housing/Rent
Housing and rent are more affordable in Albuquerque. As mentioned earlier, Stockton’s housing costs are way higher than the national average.
Stockton may be more affordable compared to the rest of California. But when you compare Stockton with Albuquerque, the latter is more affordable in housing and rental costs.
As of this writing, Stockton is higher than the national average by 28.6%. On the other hand, Albuquerque is cheaper than the national average by 12%.
Utility Costs
In this aspect, Albuquerque is still more affordable than Stockton.
Comparing Albuquerque with the national average, the city is more affordable by 2.8%. However, Stockton is higher than the national average by 8.9%.
These numbers show that Albuquerque is more affordable than most cities in the US when it comes to utility costs.
Food and Groceries
In this part of the budget, Albuquerque is still cheaper.
Albuquerque is 4% lower than the national average for food and groceries. On the other hand, Stockton is higher than the national average by 3.9%.
Transportation Costs
In this aspect of your budget, Albuquerque is way cheaper.
Transportation costs in Albuquerque are lower than the national average by 10.6%.
The deal breaker is on the transportation costs in Stockton.
I mentioned earlier that public transport in Stockton is something you cannot rely on. Your public transportation options are also limited.
Besides, Stockton is more expensive by about 15.5% than the national average in transportation costs.
Healthcare
Healthcare is another part of your budget pie, whereas Stockton is the more expensive city.
The cost of healthcare is 18.9% lower than the national average in Albuquerque.
The cost of healthcare is 1.8% higher than the national average in Stockton.
These numbers show that Albuquerque is cheaper than Stockton in health care costs.
Albuquerque has cheaper medicines. The city has more affordable professional fees as well.
Remember that healthcare is an essential part of your budget. Do not take this for granted.
Is Albuquerque bigger than Stockton?
In terms of land area, Albuquerque is bigger than Stockton. Albuquerque has a land area of 187.2 square miles. The land area of Stockton is 65.25 square miles.
Not only is Albuquerque larger in land area.
It is also more populated than Stockton.
In 2021, the population of Stockton was 323,000. In Albuquerque, the number of people by the end of 2021 was 562,000.
Despite its size, Stockton is denser than Albuquerque.
The latest numbers show that Albuquerque has a population density of 3,002 per square mile. On the other hand, Stockton has a population density of 5,081 per square mile.
Is Albuquerque safer than Stockton?
Albuquerque has an alarming concern when it comes to keeping its residents safe. But when you compare Stockton with Albuquerque, Stockton has more crimes.
Let us first talk about the crime index.
Albuquerque’s crime index is lower than that of Stockton.
Stockton is at 78.11%, while it is at 70.66% in Albuquerque.
What do these numbers give you?
These numbers show that residents in Albuquerque feel much safer than the residents of Stockton.
Breaking down further the details, most crimes in Stockton are at higher levels.
There are three types of these crimes.
One of these two refers to crimes related to drugs. In Stockton, these types of crimes are at 83.33%. However, Albuquerque has a higher number with 85.16%
Crimes like vandalism and theft are at 85% in Stockton. In Albuquerque, the same type of crime is at 85.05%.
The differences between the two cities may not be that significant.
But overall, Stockton has a higher crime index than Albuquerque.
It is safer in Albuquerque.
Is Stockton better than Albuquerque?
Albuquerque is better than Stockton. For starters, Albuquerque has an affordable cost of living. The crimes are also lower here compared to Stockton.
When going to a new city, your safety is, and the cost of living always matters the most.
Between Stockton and Albuquerque, it is Albuquerque that can provide you with these two.
Albuquerque has a lower crime rate compared to Stockton. It is also the cheaper option.
Sure, the crime rates in Albuquerque may be higher than the national average. But Stockton’s is much higher.
You would be safer in Albuquerque.
Also, Albuquerque is more affordable.
The food here is delicious. For sure, you would be able to save a lot when you move here.
And never forget.
How about you?
Which city would you prefer?
Let me know.
