CostIndexUSA

Durham, NC vs Stockton, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNC
Durham
97.6
overall index
$1,650/mo rent
CA
Stockton
105.1
overall index
$2,325/mo rent

Durham is moderately cheaper than Stockton — 7.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Durham, you would need $86,100 in Stockton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+16.9%
Durham
98.9
Stockton
115.6
🛒 Groceries+8.9%
Durham
96.6
Stockton
105.2
🚗 Transportation+2.1%
Durham
103.1
Stockton
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+2.1%
Durham
93.3
Stockton
95.3
Utilities+77.2%
Durham
89.3
Stockton
158.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Durham to see what you'd need to earn in Stockton to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Stockton, CA
$86,100
$6,100 more needed in Stockton

Formula: salary × (105.1 ÷ 97.6) = salary × 1.0768. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Durham, NC

Median Home Price
$402,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
98.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.3×

Stockton, CA

Median Home Price
$522,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,325
Housing Index
115.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.7×

Stockton has 16.9% higher housing costs compared to Durham.

Income & Job Market

Durham, NC

Median Household Income
$83,300
Per Capita Income
$47,500
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
278,993
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareEducationResearchFinance

Stockton, CA

Median Household Income
$87,400
Per Capita Income
$49,800
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
Population
320,804
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareLogisticsManufacturingEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Durham, NC
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Stockton, CA
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.