CostIndexUSA

Modesto, CA vs Stockton, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCA
Modesto
104.1
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
CA
Stockton
105.1
overall index
$2,325/mo rent

Modesto is slightly cheaper than Stockton — 1.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Modesto, you would need $80,800 in Stockton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+6.5%
Modesto
108.5
Stockton
115.6
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Modesto
105.2
Stockton
105.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Modesto
105.3
Stockton
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Modesto
95.3
Stockton
95.3
Utilities+3.9%
Modesto
152.3
Stockton
158.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Stockton, CA
$80,800
$800 more needed in Stockton

Formula: salary × (105.1 ÷ 104.1) = salary × 1.0096. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Modesto, CA

Median Home Price
$457,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
108.5
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 6.5% higher housing costs compared to Modesto.

Income & Job Market

Modesto, CA

Median Household Income
$82,800
Per Capita Income
$47,200
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
Population
218,464
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailEducation

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).

Modesto, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.