CostIndexUSA

Iowa City, IA vs Stockton, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIA
Iowa City
91.5
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
CA
Stockton
105.1
overall index
$2,325/mo rent

Iowa City is moderately cheaper than Stockton — 14.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Iowa City, you would need $91,900 in Stockton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+37.6%
Iowa City
84
Stockton
115.6
🛒 Groceries+12.3%
Iowa City
93.7
Stockton
105.2
🚗 Transportation+7.9%
Iowa City
97.6
Stockton
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+7.9%
Iowa City
88.3
Stockton
95.3
Utilities+89.0%
Iowa City
83.7
Stockton
158.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Stockton, CA
$91,900
$11,900 more needed in Stockton

Formula: salary × (105.1 ÷ 91.5) = salary × 1.1486. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Iowa City, IA

Median Home Price
$287,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
84
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4×

Stockton, CA

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

Stockton has 37.6% higher housing costs compared to Iowa City.

Income & Job Market

Iowa City, IA

Median Household Income
$71,900
Per Capita Income
$41,000
Unemployment Rate
2.3%
Population
74,398
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyResearchGovernment

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).

Iowa City, IA
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.