CostIndexUSA

Stockton, CA vs Tuscaloosa, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Stockton
105.1
overall index
$2,325/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Tuscaloosa
87.7
overall index
$1,525/mo rent

Tuscaloosa is significantly cheaper than Stockton — 16.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Stockton, you would need $66,800 in Tuscaloosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing49.7%
Stockton
115.6
Tuscaloosa
58.2
🛒 Groceries8.4%
Stockton
105.2
Tuscaloosa
96.4
🚗 Transportation3.6%
Stockton
105.3
Tuscaloosa
101.5
🏥 Healthcare3.6%
Stockton
95.3
Tuscaloosa
91.9
Utilities46.6%
Stockton
158.2
Tuscaloosa
84.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
$66,800
$13,200 less needed in Tuscaloosa

Formula: salary × (87.7 ÷ 105.1) = salary × 0.8344. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Stockton, CA

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

Tuscaloosa, AL

Median Home Price
$213,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,525
Housing Index
58.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.6×

Stockton has 49.7% lower housing costs compared to Tuscaloosa.

Income & Job Market

Stockton, CA

Median Household Income
$87,400
Per Capita Income
$49,800
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
Population
320,804
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareLogisticsManufacturingEducation

Tuscaloosa, AL

Median Household Income
$58,200
Per Capita Income
$33,200
Unemployment Rate
5.9%
Population
99,543
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingAutomotiveGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Stockton, CA
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% of income left after rent (median)

Tuscaloosa, AL
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% 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.