CostIndexUSA

Seattle, WA vs Stockton, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WA
Seattle
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent
More AffordableCA
Stockton
105.1
overall index
$2,325/mo rent

Stockton is moderately cheaper than Seattle — 5.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Seattle, you would need $75,700 in Stockton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing23.6%
Seattle
151.3
Stockton
115.6
🛒 Groceries+1.2%
Seattle
104
Stockton
105.2
🚗 Transportation6.1%
Seattle
112.2
Stockton
105.3
🏥 Healthcare6.1%
Seattle
101.5
Stockton
95.3
Utilities+70.5%
Seattle
92.8
Stockton
158.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Stockton, CA
$75,700
$4,300 less needed in Stockton

Formula: salary × (105.1 ÷ 111.1) = salary × 0.9460. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Seattle, WA

Median Home Price
$730,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,175
Housing Index
151.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.0×

Stockton, CA

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

Seattle has 23.6% lower housing costs compared to Stockton.

Income & Job Market

Seattle, WA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
737,255
Top Industries
TechnologyAerospaceHealthcareRetailLogistics

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).

Seattle, WA
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.