CostIndexUSA

Lawrence, KS vs Stockton, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableKS
Lawrence
90.2
overall index
$1,475/mo rent
CA
Stockton
105.1
overall index
$2,325/mo rent

Lawrence is significantly cheaper than Stockton — 16.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lawrence, you would need $93,200 in Stockton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+61.5%
Lawrence
71.6
Stockton
115.6
🛒 Groceries+11.9%
Lawrence
94
Stockton
105.2
🚗 Transportation+6.9%
Lawrence
98.5
Stockton
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+7.0%
Lawrence
89.1
Stockton
95.3
Utilities+77.2%
Lawrence
89.3
Stockton
158.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Stockton, CA
$93,200
$13,200 more needed in Stockton

Formula: salary × (105.1 ÷ 90.2) = salary × 1.1652. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lawrence, KS

Median Home Price
$320,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,475
Housing Index
71.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1×

Stockton, CA

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

Stockton has 61.5% higher housing costs compared to Lawrence.

Income & Job Market

Lawrence, KS

Median Household Income
$67,000
Per Capita Income
$38,200
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
98,004
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyRetailManufacturing

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).

Lawrence, KS
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.