CostIndexUSA

Fresno, CA vs Stockton, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCA
Fresno
102.2
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
CA
Stockton
105.1
overall index
$2,325/mo rent

Fresno is slightly cheaper than Stockton — 2.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fresno, you would need $82,300 in Stockton. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+20.8%
Fresno
95.7
Stockton
115.6
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Fresno
105.2
Stockton
105.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Fresno
105.3
Stockton
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Fresno
95.3
Stockton
95.3
Utilities1.7%
Fresno
161
Stockton
158.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Stockton, CA
$82,300
$2,300 more needed in Stockton

Formula: salary × (105.1 ÷ 102.2) = salary × 1.0284. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fresno, CA

Median Home Price
$401,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
95.7
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 20.8% higher housing costs compared to Fresno.

Income & Job Market

Fresno, CA

Median Household Income
$71,100
Per Capita Income
$40,500
Unemployment Rate
7.4%
Population
542,107
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareGovernmentEducationManufacturing

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).

Fresno, CA
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% 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.