Skyline of Stockton
Cost of Living: 112.5 320,804

Stockton, CA, US

Central Valley port city with waterfront revival, cheaper than Bay Area but still California prices.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 112.5

Above Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 128.4

Above Average

Median Income $54,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.5%

Job market health

Stockton vs US Average

Cost of Living
Stockton: 112.5
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Stockton: 128.4
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Stockton: 9.3%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 9.3%
  • Sales Tax: 7.8%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $54,000
  • Unemployment: 5.5%
  • Population: 320,804

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 257/year
  • Summer High: 93°F
  • Winter Low: 38°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6a

Housing

  • Median Home: $420,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1450/mo

Cost of Living

Stockton's cost of living index is 112.5 (US average = 100).

CategoryStocktonNational AverageDifference
Overall112.5100+12.5%
Housing128.4100+28.4%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$420,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1450/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,813/mo
Price per Sq Ft$280

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

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$90,000 down
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Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Stockton:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$240Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$47Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$47Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$85Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$65Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$35Private service
Total Utilities$519Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Stockton scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
112.5
Rent
$1450
Sunny Days
257
Tax
9.3%
Unemployment
5.5%
Climate
93°F / 38°F
Safety
16.0 homicides/100k
Population
320,804
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Stockton has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January58°F38°F2.5"
April78°F53°F2.8"
July93°F68°F1.5"
October73°F56°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6a

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Stockton faces the following natural hazards:

Wildfire Extreme Risk

Frequent and severe wildfire seasons.

Earthquake High Risk

Located on the San Andreas Fault system with frequent seismic activity.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat in inland and desert regions.

Drought High Risk

Frequent and severe drought conditions.

Landslide High Risk

Coastal and mountainous regions with frequent landslides.

Avalanche High Risk

Sierra Nevada with frequent avalanches.

Flood Moderate Risk

Flash floods and river flooding.

Sandstorm Moderate Risk

Dust storms in desert regions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 9.3%
  • Sales Tax: 7.75%
  • Property Tax: ~0.82% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Stockton per 100,000 residents:

1,145.8
Violent Crime
2,639.6
Property Crime
16.0
Homicide

Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting

Schools & Education

44/100
School Quality Score
Better than 4% of US cities
?
111
Total Schools
16.8:1
Student:Teacher
89.2%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

3
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Stockton, CA, US?

The cost of living index in Stockton is 112.5, which is Higher the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Stockton?

The median home price in Stockton is $420,000. The housing index is 128.4.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Stockton is approximately $1450/mo.

Does Stockton, CA have income tax?

Stockton is in CA, which has an income tax rate of 9.3%.

What is the climate like in Stockton?

Stockton enjoys approximately 257 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 93°F, while winter lows can drop to around 38°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.