CostIndexUSA

San Diego, CA vs Stockton, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
San Diego
111.9
overall index
$2,875/mo rent
More AffordableCA
Stockton
105.1
overall index
$2,325/mo rent

Stockton is moderately cheaper than San Diego — 6.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in San Diego, you would need $75,100 in Stockton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing35.5%
San Diego
179.3
Stockton
115.6
🛒 Groceries2.6%
San Diego
108
Stockton
105.2
🚗 Transportation+0.7%
San Diego
104.6
Stockton
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+0.7%
San Diego
94.6
Stockton
95.3
Utilities9.2%
San Diego
174.2
Stockton
158.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Stockton, CA
$75,100
$4,900 less needed in Stockton

Formula: salary × (105.1 ÷ 111.9) = salary × 0.9392. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

San Diego, CA

Median Home Price
$904,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,875
Housing Index
179.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.2×

Stockton, CA

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

San Diego has 35.5% lower housing costs compared to Stockton.

Income & Job Market

San Diego, CA

Median Household Income
$103,700
Per Capita Income
$59,100
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
1,386,932
Top Industries
MilitaryTechnologyTourismBiotechnologyHealthcare

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).

San Diego, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.